President Uhuru Kenyatta’s annual State of the Nation address to Parliament today was interrupted by high-pitched whistling among parliamentarians, forcing him to stop and let the National Assembly Speaker take over.
Speaker Justin Muturi was forced to throw Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi out of the chambers. Opiyo was among Opposition MPs who whistled a few minutes after president stood to address parliament. Others included ODM national chairman John Mbadi, Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang and Homa Bay woman representative Glady Wanga.
Also among thrown out were Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo, Nyando MP Fred Outa and Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati.
The members blowing whistles on several occasions provoked the Speaker to declare a standing order that the President shall be heard in silence.
“It will be disorderly for any member to disrupt the speech of the president, as you know any breach will guarantee punishment as per the standing orders,” Muturi ordered.
National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale earlier alleged a plot by CORD to disrupt the address, but warned that it required complete silence.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka had asked Uhuru to skip the address, criticising his government as only ‘achieving’ corruption, tribalism and intimidation by the state.
Public expectations were low on whether the address would deliver solutions to the myriad problems Kenya is facing.
One Twitter user challenged the President to address unemployment against Jubilee’s pre-election campaign.
Other users raised the issue of rampant corruption touching on high profile personalities in Uhuru’s government , noting no convictions have been made.
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