MP Robert Mbui Suspended After Chaotic Scenes in Parliament Over Mace-Grabbing Attempt
Dramatic scenes unfolded in Kenya’s National Assembly on Thursday after Deputy Minority Whip Robert Mbui was suspended from the chamber for attempting to grab the ceremonial mace during a heated debate on a contentious government bill.
The incident occurred during deliberations on the Public Enterprises Bill, a government-sponsored proposal seeking to pave the way for the privatisation of 67 state-owned corporations. Tensions rose sharply as the opposition accused the House leadership of rushing the bill through without adequate debate.
As uproar intensified, Mbui moved toward the table of the House in protest—at one point appearing to reach for the mace, the official symbol of parliamentary authority. The move immediately drew the attention of Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei, who reprimanded the Kathiani MP before ordering his removal from the chamber.
“Order, honourable members!” Shollei declared amid shouting from MPs. “Honourable Mbui, if you want to make a point of order, you have to do it with respect. You cannot do it disrespectfully. You also cannot attempt to remove the mace from its place.”
She continued: “For that reason, you have committed gross misconduct. Contrary to Standing Order 107A, you have attempted to remove the mace from its place in the chamber. I ask the sergeants-at-arms to remove you from the precincts of Parliament.”
Shollei then resumed her seat as House security escorted the opposition MP outside.
Why the confrontation escalated
The standoff erupted shortly after Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah began reading the supplementary order paper introducing the Public Enterprises Bill. Opposition MPs repeatedly shouted “point of order”, demanding that debate be postponed until next week.
Mbui was one of the most vocal critics of the move, accusing the leadership of pushing the bill through in haste.
However, the Deputy Speaker said she declined to acknowledge him because he was “grossly out of order”, especially after approaching the table and attempting to reach for the mace.
Majority Leader Ichung’wah also weighed in, condemning the incident and accusing the opposition of resorting to theatrics instead of engaging in structured debate.
Opposition demands dissolution of Parliament
Following Mbui’s suspension, opposition lawmakers convened a press briefing outside Parliament, accusing the majority side of “rogue behaviour” and insisting that the bill was passed without the required quorum.
Mbui criticised the government’s privatisation push, claiming it was designed to benefit a small elite.
“There is a plan to privatise government-owned companies with the objective of handing them over to a few individuals,” he said. “Why couldn’t they wait for the debate on Tuesday? What was so urgent?”
The Minority side subsequently called for the dissolution of Parliament, arguing that the House had ceased to function in accordance with constitutional and democratic norms.
The government has yet to issue a formal response to the opposition’s dissolution demands, but insiders say the ruling coalition is determined to push ahead with its privatisation agenda, which it maintains is critical for improving efficiency and reducing the financial burden of underperforming state corporations.
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MP Robert Mbui Suspended After Chaotic Scenes in Parliament Over Mace-Grabbing Attempt