NAIROBI—Two lawmakers from Garissa County have been caught in a phone footage while engaged in a physical altercation at the Parliament Buildings on April 8, 2025.
The confrontation involved Umulkheir Harun Mohammed, a nominated Member from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and Falhada Iman, a representative in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Following the incident, Harun issued a statement expressing her deep regret over the altercation.
She described the event as “unfortunate” and accused Iman of deliberately instigating the conflict during her visit to Parliament.
“Today an unfortunate incident occurred on the parliamentary grounds, which I deeply regret both as a Member of Parliament and as a mother,” Harun stated.
She claimed that Iman’s actions were motivated by a longstanding opposition to her work, leading to an unexpected confrontation that left her feeling ambushed.
The MP emphasized the importance of maintaining dignity and respect within Parliament, stating, “I remain fully committed to upholding the respectful and dignified standards expected of our institution and of myself, particularly as a Muslim woman.”
Harun urged her fellow leaders to foster a constructive political environment, noting that while the political landscape in Kenya is challenging, it does not justify behavior that undermines the integrity of their work.
She also mentioned that she would be filing complaints regarding the incident with the appropriate authorities.
The altercation escalated quickly, with Parliament security intervening to separate the two lawmakers as other leaders attempted to de-escalate the situation.
Former LSK President Nelson Havi weighed in on the situation, questioning the current state of Parliament and the pursuit of gender parity.
Several leaders from North Eastern called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to take action against the MPs involved, expressing frustration over the lack of accountability.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about conduct and accountability among elected officials in Kenya.
