PARLIAMENT was abruptly adjourned yesterday morning following the shocking news of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The National Assembly was forced to suspend the morning sitting prompting an outpouring of grief from MPs across the political divide.
Ordinarily the House holds two sittings—in the morning to process private members bill and the afternoon plenary where CSs get a chance to respond to MPs questions.
Apart from the morning plenary, several committee sittings were also shelved last minute with legislators gathered in solemn groups, many visibly shaken by the news.
Some of the committee meetings that were lined up and didn’t takeoff include the Petitions Committee, which was to meet Insurance Regulatory Authority and the Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka.
Raila besides serving as the country Prime Minister was the MP for Lang’ata, now Kibra and Lang’ata constituencies, for two decades.
Sources within Parliament said special sessions are being planned to honour his legacy, with official state mourning arrangements expected to follow.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula led the House in a brief tribute before announcing an indefinite suspension of proceedings to allow MPs to mourn.
Wetang’ula, visibly shaken by the news, invoked his authority under Standing Order No 1 to halt proceedings, directing MPs to reconvene later in the day for official communication on the matter.
“I will invoke my authority under Standing Order No 1, and I direct as follows: the sitting this morning is adjourned,” he directed.
“We will have a sitting at 2.30 pm this afternoon, where the Speaker will give you important communication. For now, the House stands adjourned to 2.30 pm this afternoon.”
The announcement came moments after news of Raila’s death spread across the country, plunging the nation into mourning.
Wetang’ula did not, however, disclose the reason for the sudden adjournment.
Raila, 80, was a towering figure in Kenya’s political landscape for decades, known for his relentless push for reform, democracy and national unity.
His death has sent shockwaves across the country, with tributes pouring in from leaders and citizens alike.
Two lawmakers were overcome by emotion as the devastating news reached the floor of the House.
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, both members of the Orange Democratic Movement, broke down in tears and wept uncontrollably, visibly shaken by the passing of the veteran opposition leader.
A video from the morning sitting showed the Serjeant-at-Arms stepping in to comfort the two as other MPs watched in stunned silence.
