Tigania East MP Mpuri Apuri has admitted to recording and sharing a video clip capturing an altercation between two female MPs in Parliament.
Speaking on the floor of the House on Thursday, May 5, Apuri expressed remorse, stating he did not intend to harm nominated MP Ummul Kheir Harun, who appeared in the footage alongside East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman.
“Mimi kwa roho yangu na akili yangu niko hapa kusema pole kwa mheshimiwa dada yangu, kwa sababu mimi mwenyewe nilikosea kuchukua ile video... na ile video ni Mpuru Apuri mwenyewe alichukua,” he said.
He explained that he shared the clip inadvertently with colleagues and friends, not anticipating it would be widely circulated.
“Mheshimiwa Speaker, nasema pole pole na nisamehewe,” he added.
The legislator also quoted a Bible verse during his apology: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.”
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula acknowledged the apology, noting that the House had accepted it.
“The Holy Book has one central message: that the beginning of healing lies in the acknowledgement of wrongdoing and the subsequent uttering of one magic word, sorry. So we forgive you,” he said.
He further urged the nominated MP to extend forgiveness to Apuri.
The incident occurred on April 8, 2025.
In the video, the two MPs are seen in a verbal altercation as other legislators attempt to intervene.
One MP is heard calling for help from colleagues nearby, while another appeals to those observing to refrain from filming the incident.
The Sergeant-at-Arms later intervened and separated the two.
Following the incident, both MPs issued apologies.
EALA MP Falhada Iman described the incident as falling short of the standards expected within the institution.
In a statement, she apologised to fellow lawmakers, the public, and those who witnessed the exchange.
"I feel compelled to address the regrettable incident that occurred within the corridor of Parliament, involving myself and nominated MP Ummul Kheir," she said.
She added that the altercation arose from sustained provocation and, despite initial restraint, the situation escalated beyond her control.
