National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula delivers ruling on the incident involving a fight within Parliament precincts, April 9, 2025. /SCREENGRABAn unhonourable incident involving honourable members of Parliament where two female MPs fought within the precincts of the House is now a matter under police probe primarily to establish which of their colleagues recorded them.
The Tuesday incident involved ODM nominated MP Umulkher Harun Mohamed and her UDA counterpart at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Falhada Iman.
The "violent altercation" was brought to Speaker Moses Wetang'ula's attention on Wednesday by the Chief Sergent at Arms via the Clerk of the National Assembly.
"Also involved was a visitor whom I'm informed was a visitor to the Hon Falhada," the speaker said.
In the video circulating online, the MPs are seen pushing and shoving each other before they both fell to the ground from where they continued to go at each other.
Two females are seen trying to seperate them with one shouting "kujeni mtusaidie" (come help us) while the other shouted "wacheni kupiga picha" (stop filming).
A male voice, presumably of the individual behind the lense, is heard saying "wachana nao wapigane (Let them fight), then a while later adds, "Hiyo nimetuma nilikuwa napiga ikienda,"" in response to repeated pleas not to record the incident.
Wetangula ruled that Falhada, having been accorded the privilege to access Parliament precincts as a former senator, acted in an undignified manner.
"Honourable members having reviwed the video and the incident report, it's clear that the violent altercation between the Hon Umulher and Falhada casts Parliament in bad light."
The speaker ruled out subjecting the matter to the Powers and Privileges Committee for recommendation of appropriate action and directed that Umulher, also known as Umi, explains herself and apologises to the House while Iman prepares a written apology.
"With respect to Hon Falhada, the EALA member of Parliement I note that she does not have a platform to address the House on the floor, in that regard I direct that the member explains herself to the speaker of the National Assembly and chairperson of Parliamentary Service Commission in writing by 5pm on Monday, April 14," he said.
In the meatime, Wetang'ula said Falhada is barred from accessing Parliament precincts for 90 days, save for when she will deliver her written explanation, within which time she must be accompanied by Sergent at Arms.
The speaker barred MPs from commenting on the matter "to show sympathy to Umulher", citing a violation of Standing Orders, but said he will issue a ruling after reviewing the apologies of the two MPs.
"The issue of recording is being investigated by parliamentary police and the and the Sergent at Arms. I don't want to have any presumptions as to who it was, you will get communication," he said.
"You are still not off the hook," Wetangula told Umulher after her explanation and apology. "Both you and whoever did the recording will get some further directions."
