Students want Bahati MP recalled over 'questionable character'

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has criticised a group of students who have started a process to have him recalled following an alleged assault on Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati in the National Assembly during debate on the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill on Thursday.

"In our view, our honourable MP has fallen short of integrity and derogated from acceptable societal norms. We shall therefore be recalling him from Parliament on the strength of issues canvassed above," said Ngatia Kigondu, the chairman of Bahati Constituency University and Colleges Students Association during a press conference at a Nakuru hotel.

They observed that Mr Ngunjiri's actions were an embarrassment to the electorate and an assault to democracy.

"The unruly behaviour cannot be allowed to continue unchallenged and unregulated especially by a state officer in the status of an MP," Mr Kigondu said.

The association, which comprises over 1,000 members, has already suspended the MP from being their patron, a position he has held since he was elected.

"We have already suspended him as our patron following his conduct. We cannot be led by someone with questionable character," said Ngatia.

Responding to the move, Ngunjiri described the students as masqueraders who had nothing to offer. He dismissed claims that he assaulted anyone in Parliament.

"Those are lies. Those are people who have nothing constructive in mind," Ngunjiri told The Standard by phone.

Wide consultations

Ngatia, however, reiterated that their resolve to remove the MP would not be compromised by anyone. He said they arrived at the decision after wide consultations with colleagues, lawyers and residents.

"No one has sponsored us or influenced our decision. This is our agenda towards having leaders who meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution," he said.

The team, which according to Ngatia will be collecting signatures from at least 30 per cent of the registered voters beginning January 2015, will move to court to secure a petition before embarking on the final leg of the recall.

Other MPs who found themselves on the receiving end during the melee that ensued in Parliament include Mbita's Millie Odhiambo who claimed she was hit in the eye.