MPs recount dramatic flight from House as mob entered
Several MPs yesterday recounted how they scampered to safety when protesters angry about proposals in the now withdrawn 2024 Finance Bill breached a barrier and entered Parliament on Tuesday.
The lawmakers took to social media platforms to say that they were helped by parliamentary orderlies to flee the National Assembly and the Senate buildings to escape the wrath of the protesters.
Protesters caught many MPs off-guarded after they breached the heavy security cordon around Parliament and entered the buildings, said Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Peter Salasya (Mumias East).
“After Azimio walked out in protest after the passing of the finance bill, protesters stormed Bunge,” Odhiambo wrote.
“I ran back into [the] chambers seeking to use the back door out, only to find Kenya Kwanza continuing with the appropriations bill. I informed them Parliament had been invaded. They chased me away unceremoniously telling me to stop with drama.
“Minutes later, we were all [in] the tunnel scampering for safety. The sense of bravado was gone. I later saw many in camouflage seeking to leave bunge incognito.”
New tunnel
Salasya, for his part, tweeted: “I won’t mention who but jana (Tuesday) with the havoc that was there in parliament kuna MPs walijikojolea (who urinated on themselves.”
The revelations came a day after scores of MPs ran for their dear lives when protesters invaded and occupied Parliament.
Several MPs, mainly from the ruling coalition, who were in the chambers debating the appropriations bill after Opposition MPs stormed out had to escape using a newly built underground tunnel connecting the main Parliament buildings to Bunge Towers, where they took shelter.
Also forced to flee were scores of parliamentary staff, orderlies, cooks, cleaners, drivers, security guards and journalists.
Several MPs, visibly terrified at the turn of events, were helped to escape by parliamentary orderlies, with some fainting on the way. So bad was the situation that some MPs had to discard their official suits and don casual outfits in a bid to disguise themselves.
Several female MPs wearing high-heeled shoes had a rough time running to safety and had to remove them and run barefoot.
An MP, who did not want to be named, said: “You have seen how these people you called protesters are behaving … now see all of us are being forced to change even our own clothes, remove our ties so that we can conceal our identities.”
‘Sanctitiy violated’
Yesterday, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi said the sanctity of Parliament had been violated.
Wetangula described Parliament buildings as “hallowed grounds”, describing as regrettable the “invasion of Parliament, destruction of property, the desecration of the parliamentary square by people masquerading as youth and peaceful protesters”.
He added: “I stand before you with a heavy heart and it is my solemn duty to address the gravity of what has occurred.
“The sanctity of Parliament has been violated, lives have been needlessly lost and the foundation of our democracy has been tested in ways we never imagined.
“On behalf of the Parliamentary Service Commission and on my own behalf, I send my condolences to the families and friends of the departed souls and wish those who are in various hospitals quick recovery.”
Kingi, on the other hand, said he regretted the attack, terming it unprecedented.
He said: “As you may also recall, the Senate was scheduled to resume regular sittings from the recess yesterday.
The statements from the two Speakers came hours after MPs, especially those who supported the finance bill, faced the wrath of Kenyans as their homes or properties were attacked and torched.
Molo MP and Finance Committee chairperson Kuria Kimani was not spared, with angry protesters invading his residence in Treasure Island estate in his constituency.
At least three vehicles were reduced to shells after they were set ablaze, while his multimillion-shilling home was stoned and broken into.
