A video clip showing a fistfight between two women lawmakers went viral yesterday as Kenyans questioned how the National Assembly had degenerated into a House of disrepute. 

The women are seen exchanging blows, falling onto and undressing each other on the grounds of Parliament. 

As a result, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Iman Falhada was yesterday banned from setting foot in Parliament for 90 days, while nominated MP Umulkher Harun faces an investigation. 

Also being investigated by the parliamentary police and the sergeant-at-arms is the person who recorded the video from within the parliamentary grounds. 

The fight between the two, sources said, arose from their political differences. Both are said to be interested in the Garissa County woman rep seat. 

The MPs have aligned themselves with different aspirants interested in vying for the governorship, sources claimed. Each woman has reportedly been sending emissaries to the other with the goal of getting one to drop the quest in favour of the other. 

Following the clash, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, in a notice to the House, ordered Falhada to come to Parliament on Monday with the sergeant-at-arms and submit a handwritten letter detailing why she engaged in a fistfight with Iman. 

The fight, Wetang’ula said, had portrayed Parliament in a negative way and lowered its dignity and sanctity. 

Said Wetang’ula: “Ordinarily, such a matter would merit referral to the Powers and Privileges Committee for consideration. Several members have approached me requesting that I invoke Standing Orders and cause the matter to be forwarded to the committee. 

“I’m, however, inclined to accord an opportunity to Iman to apologise, and because Falhada has no platform to address the House, I direct that the member expresses herself to the Speaker and [the Parliamentary Service Commission or PSC] in writing by 5 pm on Monday.  

“Hon Falhada is precluded from accessing Parliament for 90 days save on the day she will deliver her message [and] she will have to be escorted by the sergeant.” 

Message of apology 

Wetang’ula said Harun had sent a message of apology to the Speaker, adding that he also wanted to “hear from Falhda and get a report”.  

“As for you [Harun], you are still not off the hook. Both of you and the person who made the recording will have to face some action,” the Speaker said.  

The recording was being investigated by the parliamentary police and sergeant-at-arms, he added.  

“If you were caught in that video, depending on what you were doing, you will also be punished. There is a crime called aiding and abetting,” he said. 

As an EALA member and former nominated senator (2017-2022), Falhada can come to Parliament whenever she wants.  

Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, who serves on the PSC, said he saw the person who recorded the entire scuffle. 

He said: “It will be my rightful duty to record a statement with the parliamentary police.” 

The Speaker’s actions came after a video clip trending on social media platforms showed the two exchanging blows as some of those around them tried to call for help. 

An MP, whose identity could not be determined, is heard calling for help from other MPs. Another lawmaker who was trying to separate the two was heard telling those watching the fight to stop recording it, while another is heard telling the members to let the two women fight. 

And speaking on the floor of the House, Harun, who was wearing an arm sling, apologised for the incident. 

She claimed the scuffle started after Falhada threw a cup of tea on her after Harun questioned why she was criticising her family members. 

Harun said: “I met Falhada and I requested to have a talk and catch up as we took an afternoon cup of tea. During our discussions, I was seeking an audience with her to find a truce, not expecting that she would throw a cup of tea on me, a situation that blindsided me.” 

Although Harun explained that she had no intention of fighting anyone, she claimed that Tigania East MP Mpuri Aburi was the lawmaker who recorded the incident. She said: “In my 28 years of life I have never been involved in any fight and I feel bad as an MP and a Muslim. I apologise and regret yesterday’s incident. I apologise to my aggressor Falhada.” 

She added: “Mr Speaker, I’m short-sighted [and] during this unfortunate incident I noticed Hon Mpuri was recording and I approached him and told him not to record.  

“I wonder if this was a targeted attack. I did not expect to fight. I was in a white dress. It is the doctrine of the female dressing that when we wear white it means peace.” 

Assault case 

On Tuesday, Harun, who accused Falhada of only going to Parliament to attack her, claimed she had filed an assault case with the relevant agencies. 

She said: “I sincerely regret this occurrence and want to emphasise that I do not endorse or encourage any form of misconduct.  

“While I’m not providing further comments at this time, I remain fully committed to upholding the respectful and dignified standards expected of our institution and myself, particularly as a Muslim woman.  

“The political landscape is inherently challenging, but there is never justification for behaviour that undermines the integrity of our work. I hope that together we can foster a more respectful and constructive environment moving forward.”