Drama ensued on the floor of the House on Thursday, September 10 after Busia Senator Okiya Omatatah was kicked out for making what Speaker Amason Kingi described as “unparliamentary” remarks.

It all started when Senator Omtatah took the centre-stage during the afternoon session, castigating President William Ruto for “yapping” roadside declarations that have no legal binding.

Immediately, Speaker Kingi directed the senator to withdraw the statement. But when Omtatah took the microphone, he appeared to be maintaining that his remarks were in no way “unparliamentary”.

“I rise to address this House on the requirement you have placed upon me to withdraw my statement regarding the President’s recent roadside declaration. I wish to do so not out of defiance but out of deep respect for this House and the integrity of our parliamentary language,” Omtatah said.

He added: “The term I used was not unparliamentary. The statement in question was my observation that the President was yapping when he made a roadside declaration. Yapping is not unparliamentary.”

But Omtatah’s response only incensed Speaker Kingi, who immediately ordered him to leave the chambers and suspended him for three sitting days.

Kingi further warned against disobeying his orders, as he would be forced to order the sergeant at arms to throw him out of the chambers. “Do not make me direct the sergeant-at-arms to come for you because that will amount to 90 days,” Kingi warned.