A Kenyan female lawmaker, Zulekha Hassan, was on Wednesday ordered out of the National Assembly for disrupting a parliamentary session.
The legislator was kicked out of the chambers after she walked into the session with her baby.
Hassan, who represents the Kwale constituency had brought in the third baby she had while in the parliament because she said she had an emergency and was unable to sort out babysitting arrangements.
Speaking with the Citizen Kenya, she said, she had expected to be in the August House (name of the parliament) for a short time.
She said,
“Today, I had an emergency, what was I supposed to do? Miss parliament? That’s why I just came with her. I knew I would be staying here just for a while and later when my situation is better, I would go. But if there was a room or a creche or nursery, I would then be able to put my baby there.”
According to the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, strangers are not allowed into the House, including children.
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Even the Head of State accesses the chamber on special occasions provided for in the Constitution, whereas members of the public can only access the Speaker’s gallery, but with permission.
After she was sent out of the parliament with her baby, Hassan revealed that there had been a rule that a nursery should be established within the premises of the parliament for nursing mothers since 2013 but it was never implemented.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Chris Omulele termed the move as unprecedented.
The incident caused a rowdy session at the chamber as some female lawmakers walked out with her in solidarity.
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Photos: Standard Media Kenya
