A simmering dispute over the wearing of party colours in the National Assembly erupted on Tuesday prompting Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to issue a stern warning that legislators will not be allowed to turn Parliament into a platform for partisan exhibitions.
The controversy arose during the first sitting after the House resumed from its short recess when a group of 13 Members of Parliament allied to Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) attended proceedings dressed in matching party colours, triggering protests from fellow lawmakers over an alleged breach of the Standing Orders.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker Wetang’ula acknowledged the concerns but declined to take immediate disciplinary action, saying he was not yet convinced that the attire constituted prohibited party insignia.
“I am not aware of the colours that the few members are wearing,” the Speaker ruled amid exchanges on the floor. “If the Speaker is subsequently convinced that what you are wearing is party insignia or party colours, then we will tell you that you are out of order.”
However, he cautioned legislators that the House would strictly enforce the rules going forward, except in exceptional circumstances.
The Speaker recalled that when Hon. John Wanjiku was sworn into the House after winning the Kiambaa parliamentary by-election, members allied the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) , including John Kiarie, wore special attire to mark the occasion, a move that had been permitted because it was a unique parliamentary event.
“But from today onwards, unless it is such a special occasion, we do not entertain party uniforms in the House, and you know that is part of our Standing Orders,” Wetang’ula directed.
He further clarified that identical clothing would not necessarily amount to a breach unless it was deliberately used to advance political messaging.
“It is possible that members can all come wearing black suits or all come wearing yellow suits, but the moment you turn them into party symbols and party agitation in the House, you will be ruled out of order,” he said.
The issue was formally raised by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, who invoked the Standing Orders governing members’ conduct and dress, arguing that the coordinated attire amounted to an open display of party symbolism within Parliament.
Kiarie said while an individual member’s choice of clothing could be dismissed as personal preference, the coordinated appearance of the legislators suggested an organised political statement that contravened parliamentary rules.
“If there was only one member showing up in a certain colour in the House, then we would have taken it to be the member’s wardrobe,” Kiarie submitted.
“However, we are seeing a gang of 13 Members of Parliament donning party insignia on the floor of the House.”
At the same time, the Dagoretti South legislator welcomed newly elected Ol Kalou MP Waweru Ngotho to Parliament following his victory in the recent by-election, saying the new lawmaker should familiarise himself with the House rules governing members’ conduct.
“I would like to welcome the young gentleman who has joined the House. We would like him to know that there are Standing Orders that guide how members ought to present themselves in the House,” Kiarie said.
He also used the occasion to downplay the political significance of the group, noting that the 13 legislators represented only a small minority compared to the rest of the House.
“Thirteen Members of Parliament are a sure minority in this House. They are up against hundreds of Members of Parliament and are totally out of order,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Speaker’s ruling reaffirmed Parliament’s long-standing position that the National Assembly Chamber should remain politically neutral in appearance and that members must refrain from using coordinated attire to advance partisan messaging during proceedings.
The directive is expected to guide future conduct in the House as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election with Wetang’ula making it clear that the Chamber must not be turned into a platform for party displays through dress or insignia.
