MP with baby in Parliament disrupts proceedings for half an hour

Kwale Woman Representative Zulekha Hassan on Wednesday disrupted House proceedings for over 30 minutes, when she carried her young baby to Parliament.

Luanda MP, Christopher Omulele, who was the temporary Speaker, ordered Ms Zulekha out of the National Assembly chamber, saying the House provides a separate room for lactating mothers, but not the floor of Parliament.

“It has come to the attention of the Speaker that that a Member of Parliament, Hon. Zulekha Hassan is in the debating chamber of the National Assembly with a child in her hands. I, as the Speaker today, determine the membership of the National Assembly, all the 349,” said Mr Omulele.

“In as much as Hon. Zulekha Hassan wants to take care of her child, this is not the place for it. And I, therefore, direct that she immediately be withdrawn, and she may return to the chamber after she withdraws the child. Those are the directions of the Speaker. The Hon. Zulekha Hassan, kindly withdraw immediately!” ordered the Speaker.

At the time the directives were being issued, the National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale was the one addressing the House.

Mr Duale, who had to interrupt his contribution on the motion of the moment (Kenya-Somalia Maritime Border Dispute Resolution), asked the Speaker to ensure Ms Zulekha’s baby was taken out of the House.

“Mr Speaker, this House has a stranger, and it has never happened since 1963. We cannot have 349 and a half Members of Parliament. Mr Speaker, this is unprecedented; I have never seen it. This is an abuse [of office]. That member must be cited and she has ashamed the people of Kwale. Deal with that member, Mr Speaker. And she must be told that she is not the only parent,” said Mr Duale.

After having the sergeant-at-arms eject Ms Zulekha from the House, Mr Omulele said: “The proper action has been taken.”

“Hon. Members what has happened has never happened before. That was totally out of order. The Parliamentary Service Commission has provided sufficient facilities for lactating mothers within the precincts of Parliament, but not within the chamber. Those who wish to come with their babies to the House may do so, but not to the debating chamber.

“We will not allow members to come and abuse the chamber of the people of Kenya. We recognise that members may have children, but they should not be brought to the debating chamber, and it will not be done under my watch.”

The 30-minute drama elicited mixed reactions from the MPs, with a section supporting Ms Zulekha’s move, whereas another faction faulted her.

Women MPs called out Mr Omulele for kicking out Zulekha from the floor of the House, saying the Speaker was “insensitive to mothers”.