A heated afternoon session in the National Assembly on Thursday descended into chaos after lawmakers clashed over the passage of the controversial Government-Owned Enterprises Bill, which seeks to privatize 67 state corporations.
The bill, tabled by the government for debate during the Committee of the Whole House, was unexpectedly introduced through a supplementary order paper, catching many opposition MPs off guard. The move immediately drew protests from Deputy Minority Whip Robert Mbui, who argued that the bill should be deferred to allow for proper consultation and public participation.
“This is an ambush. Such an important bill cannot be sneaked in at the last minute. We demand that it be pushed to next week for proper debate,” Mbui protested from the floor.
As Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah proceeded to read the bill for the third time, opposition MPs rose on multiple points of order, shouting “No quorum! No quorum!” to protest what they termed as an unconstitutional sitting. However, Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei pressed on, overruling their objections and directing the reading to continue.
In the midst of the uproar, an enraged Mbui reportedly left his seat and made a move toward the ceremonial mace — the symbol of parliamentary authority — before being restrained by orderlies. His attempt to seize the mace, a rare and serious breach of House decorum, prompted a swift response from the chair.
“The reason I am ignoring you is because you are grossly out of order,” ruled Deputy Speaker Shollei. “You have attempted to grab the mace. I therefore order the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove you from the precincts of Parliament for five days.”
Mbui was subsequently escorted out as ruling party members applauded and opposition lawmakers jeered, further heightening the tension inside the chamber. The bill was then seconded by Marakwet East MP Kagongo Bowen and passed amid continued protests from the opposition benches.
Moments later, the remaining opposition MPs stormed out of the House, accusing the Deputy Speaker of presiding over what they described as an “illegitimate” process. Speaking to journalists outside Parliament Buildings, Mbui maintained that his actions were justified, vowing to file an official complaint with the substantive Speaker upon his return.
“There was no reason for the Deputy Speaker to silence us,” he said defiantly. “Kenyans must now know that we have a rogue Parliament being run like a marketplace. But the fight is not over — we will continue after my five-day suspension.”
Mbui further alleged that the government was pushing the bill in haste to serve hidden interests.
“There’s a clear plan to privatize key state corporations and hand them over to politically connected individuals. Why couldn’t they wait until Tuesday for a proper debate? What was so urgent?” he questioned.
The Government-Owned Enterprises Bill, which replaces the 2005 Privatization Act, proposes a sweeping restructuring of state assets. It aims to open up government-owned entities to private investment, a move that Treasury officials argue is necessary to reduce public debt and improve efficiency.
Critics, however, warn that the bill could pave the way for the sale of strategic state corporations — including Kenya Pipeline Company, Kenya Ports Authority, and Kenya Power — without sufficient oversight or public participation.
Despite the uproar, the government maintains that privatization is essential to “unlock economic value” and attract foreign investment, promising that the process will be transparent and regulated.
Following the passage of the bill, the National Assembly adjourned amid heightened security as parliamentary orderlies escorted several opposition members from the precincts. The Minority side has since hinted at taking the matter to court, arguing that the bill’s passage violated Standing Orders and the Constitution’s quorum requirements.
As the dust settles, Kenyans remain divided — with supporters hailing the bill as a step toward economic reform, and critics warning that it could mark the beginning of “the greatest sell-off of public assets in Kenya’s history.”
