By Fridah Mbuvi,June 26, 2026
Caroli Omondi has been suspended from the National Assembly of Kenya for five consecutive sitting days after directing what the presiding chair ruled was a gross disorderly remark at Temporary Speaker Peter Kaluma during a heated debate on the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill.
The confrontation unfolded as the House considered the proposed legislation. Temporary Speaker Kaluma recognized Omondi to contribute to the debate but informed him that he had less than three minutes to make his remarks. The time restriction immediately drew protest from the Suba South legislator, who argued that members had waited for more than four hours to debate the Bill.
Rising on Standing Order No. 35, Omondi challenged the Chair over what he said was a lack of quorum in the House and questioned the decision to proceed with the debate under the prevailing circumstances. As the exchange became increasingly tense, the MP allegedly directed the words “stop being stupid” at the presiding Speaker, prompting immediate objections from members.
When called upon to explain his remarks, Omondi denied insulting the Chair, maintaining that he had instead said, “we are not stupid.” However, Temporary Speaker Kaluma ordered a review of the official Hansard record, which confirmed that the unparliamentary phrase had been uttered during the exchange.
Although Omondi subsequently sought to withdraw the statement, the Chair ruled that his withdrawal did not amount to an unequivocal apology. Kaluma observed that the MP repeatedly returned to arguing about the quorum issue rather than offering a clear expression of remorse for the language used.
Invoking Standing Order 107A on gross disorderly conduct, Kaluma imposed the minimum disciplinary sanction of a five-sitting-day suspension, describing the decision as necessary to uphold decorum and serve as a warning to other members of the House.
Following the ruling, Omondi was ordered to immediately leave the parliamentary precincts. He will remain barred from attending the next five consecutive sittings of the National Assembly in accordance with the Speaker’s directive.
