Wetang’ula Suspends Kibagendi After ‘Auctioned Parliament’ Claims
Parliament turned tense on Tuesday, February 17.
What started as remarks made during a television interview quickly snowballed into a dramatic showdown inside the National Assembly. And by the end of it, Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi was out — barred from the chamber, committee sittings, and even his own parliamentary office.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula did not mince his words.
Speaker Slams ‘Reckless’ Remarks
Addressing the House, Wetang’ula accused Kibagendi of making reckless statements during an earlier appearance on Citizen TV.
The MP had alleged that Parliament had been auctioned and suggested that the Speaker and his deputies had presided over its destruction. According to Wetang’ula, those comments crossed the line.
“Kibagendi You will be excluded from the sitting of this house until you bring a properly worded apology to the house for bringing the house into disrepute. That apology should be delivered to the clerk to be looked at carefully,” Wetangula stated.
He didn’t stop there.
“For now, you are excluded from the proceedings of this house, the precincts of parliament, committee sittings, including your office in parliament. Kibagendi you are now a stranger in the house,” the speaker added.
The chamber fell into a heavy silence. Being declared a “stranger” in the House is no small matter. It’s symbolic. It’s public. And it carries weight.
What Kibagendi Said on TV
Earlier that day, during the interview, Kibagendi had made sweeping claims.
He alleged that Speaker Moses Wetangula, Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei, and MP Duncan Mathenge had handed Parliament over, turning it into what he described as an appendage of State House.
He went further. He claimed Parliament had been auctioned to the executive.
Those remarks did not sit well with fellow lawmakers.
As proceedings resumed later in the day, several MPs rose to express concern. Some argued that the integrity of the House had been directly attacked. Others urged the Speaker to take firm action to protect the institution’s image.
That call was answered swiftly.
“You Are Part of the Auctioned Material”
Wetang’ula used the moment to issue a broader warning — not just to Kibagendi, but to every Member of Parliament.
“The moment you say the house is auctioned, you are part of the auctioned material. Try to conduct yourselves with decorum. When you go to the TV, know that the whole world is watching you,” Wetang’ula said.
It was a pointed reminder. Public platforms come with consequences. Words spoken outside the chamber can still echo loudly within it.
The Speaker stressed that lawmakers carry enormous responsibility. After all, they represent 290 constituencies out of Kenya’s 56 million citizens. That mandate, he suggested, demands discipline and dignity.
He urged MPs to focus on meaningful debate instead of remarks that could erode public trust.
“As long as I am your Speaker, I will protect your dignity and the dignity of the House,” he added.
A Warning to Lawmakers
Beyond the immediate disciplinary action, the episode sent a clear message: public criticism of Parliament — especially when framed in sweeping accusations — will not go unchecked.
Wetang’ula cautioned members against making what he termed reckless statements in the media, noting that such comments could damage not only their personal reputations but also the standing of the institution they serve.
In a political climate where public confidence in governance is constantly under scrutiny, moments like these matter. They shape perception. They influence trust.
For now, Kibagendi remains locked out — at least until an apology is delivered and deemed satisfactory.
Whether that apology comes soon, or whether the standoff deepens, remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Tuesday’s drama has added yet another chapter to the ongoing conversation about the independence, image, and authority of Kenya’s Parliament.
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Wetang’ula Suspends Kibagendi After ‘Auctioned Parliament’ Claims