Disrupt President's speech at your own risk, Jubilee warns CORD

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale

Nairobi: Hours to President Uhuru Kenyatta's State of the Nation address, the ruling Jubilee coalition has warned the Opposition, Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) against plans to disrupt the proceedings.

The coalition has written to the two Speakers, Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ekwee Ethuro (Senate) asking them to be firm on the Opposition, after reports emerged that they may cause chaos in the House.

House Standing orders expressly provide that the President must be heard in silence during the State of the Nation address.

"The President will be addressing Parliament courtesy of the Constitution. He must address the House once every year. He must be heard in silence. The President is not going to Kibera or Garissa. If you don't like what he says, every member will be given the opportunity to make contributions or express reservations during debate on the speech. We expect the Speakers to make sure there is orderly conduct in the House during the proceedings," said National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale during a press conference at Parliament buildings.

"In case there is an attempt to disrupt the proceedings, the Speker must invoke the provisions of the standing orders. It is not the President who has asked to come, it is a constitutional provision. He is not just coming from State House to say whatever he wants. If he doesn't come, it is a ground for impeachment," said Duale.

He was accompanied by Johnson Sakaja (Nominated), James Lomenen (Turkana) and Jude Njomo (Kiambu Town).

The warning to the Opposition took place just hours before the President takes to the floor of the House to address the nation. He is expected to address, among other issues the state of the economy, security and the progress made in advancing the country's national values enumerated in Chapter 10 of the Constitution.

It will be President Uhuru Kenyatta's third State of the Nation address. Critics have dismissed it as yet another State ritual where the President makes promises that he does not keep.

Jubilee further claimed that there are plans by Opposition supporters to cause mayhem around Parliament building during the proceedings.

"In the event that there is looting and mayhem, we have the names of Nairobi MPs who have organised the mayhem. You can dislike Uhuru Kenyatta, but he is the democratically elected president of Kenya," said Sakaja.

"Our colleagues have a tendency to dramatise certain events due to myopic political goals. We will not allow anybody to desecrate the House. As Jubilee, we are ready to defend the institution of the presidency and to stand firm," he added.

"We know that some Nairobi MPs have hired five thousand people to cause mayhem," claimed Duale.

The last time the Opposition disrupted House proceedings was during debate on the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, some of whose provisions were said to be violation of f the country's hard won freedoms.

A member who disrupts proceedings can be suspended for four days.

Sources have intimated that the Opposition may either disrupt the proceedings or boycott the address altogether. There are also reports that CORD may hold its own 'State of the Nation' address in Nairobi this afternoon.

Over 50 CORD MPs led by ODM chair John Mbadi and Secretary General Ababu Namwamba held a strategy meeting at Parliament buildings.

“Members have a right to do what they want to express displeasure. They can walk out or even sleep on the floor. Is Duale saying that when the President is speaking, a member cannot even scratch himself?” said Mbadi after the meeting.

But should Opposition MPs jeer the President, they will be following in the example of their South African counterparts who have made it a habit of shouting down President Jacob Zuma every time he addresses the House. Unlike the Kenyan Parliament, the South Africa Parliament does not have strict provisions on heckling the head of State.

Hours before the President's address, there was an uneasy calm around Parliament, with all signs that security has been given keen attention. All visitors in and out of Parliament were screened before gaining access to the buildings.