National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Tuesday declined to rule a group of MPs allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) out of order after they attended Parliament wearing matching green blazers associated with the party.
The Speaker, however, warned lawmakers against turning Parliament into a platform for displaying party symbols or uniforms, saying the House Standing Orders prohibit such conduct except on special occasions.
The issue was raised during the swearing-in of newly elected Ol Kalou MP Sammy Waweru, when Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie objected to the attire worn by about 13 legislators seated together in the chamber.
Kiarie argued that the coordinated dress amounted to party insignia and violated the Standing Orders governing members' conduct in the House.
"Mr Speaker, I needed you to pronounce yourself on a matter that is very clear in our Standing Orders concerning the prohibition of party symbols and party insignia in Parliament," Kiarie said.
He noted that while an individual member wearing a particular colour could be dismissed as a personal fashion choice, the coordinated appearance of several MPs suggested political messaging.
"We are seeing a gang of 13 Members of Parliament donning party insignia on the floor of the House," he said.
Kiarie welcomed Waweru to Parliament following his victory in the Ol Kalou by-election but insisted that members must observe the rules governing decorum in the chamber.
Responding, Wetang'ula said he was not convinced that the green blazers, on their own, constituted official party insignia.
"It is true what you are saying, but I am not aware that the colours the few members are wearing are party colours or insignia," the Speaker ruled.
He added that unless there was clear evidence linking the attire to party symbols, he could not declare the MPs out of order.
"If the Speaker will subsequently be convinced that what you are wearing are party insignia or colours, then we will tell you that they are out of order," he said.
Wetang'ula nevertheless reminded MPs that Parliament does not permit party uniforms except under exceptional circumstances.
He cited a previous instance when a newly elected member was allowed to wear party colours during a swearing-in ceremony, describing it as a special occasion.
"From today onwards, unless it's such a special occasion, we do not entertain party uniforms in the House, and you know that is part of our Standing Orders," he said.
The Speaker further explained that members are free to wear similar colours provided they are not used to promote political parties inside the chamber.
"It is possible that members can all come wearing black suits or yellow suits, but the moment you turn them into party symbols and party agitation in the House, you'll be ruled out of order," he warned.
The ruling came as Waweru formally took the oath of office after winning the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election on a DCP ticket, joining a section of MPs aligned to Gachagua who wore the party's signature green blazers in solidarity during the ceremony.
