Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah Suspended for Three Sitting Days After Clash With Speaker Kingi

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has been suspended from the Senate for three sitting days after clashing with Speaker Amason Kingi over remarks he made about President William Ruto’s recent roadside declaration.

The confrontation occurred during an afternoon session on Thursday, September 10, 2026, after Omtatah was directed to withdraw a statement describing the President as “yapping” during the roadside declaration .

Omtatah Refuses to Withdraw

While addressing the Senate, Omtatah maintained that the word he had used was not unparliamentary and questioned the requirement that he withdraw the statement.

“I rise to address this House on the requirement you have placed upon me to withdraw my statement regarding the President’s recent roadside declaration. I wish to do so not out of defiance but out of deep respect for this House and the integrity of our parliamentary language,” Omtatah said .

“The term I used was not unparliamentary. The statement in question was my observation that the President was yapping when he made a roadside declaration. Yapping is not unparliamentary,” he added .

Speaker Kingi’s Order

His remarks appeared to further anger the Speaker, who ordered the Busia Senator to leave the chamber for three sitting days.

“Omtatah, I order you to leave the chamber for three sitting days. You may leave now. May you leave the chamber,” Kingi directed .

As the confrontation escalated, the Speaker warned Omtatah against defying the order, saying he could be forced to call in the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him from the chamber.

“Do not make me direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to come for you because that will amount to 90 days,” Kingi warned .

Kingi further reminded the senator that the proceedings were being conducted under the rules of the Kenyan Parliament and not those of the Westminster Parliament. He subsequently instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Omtatah from the chamber .

“Sergeant-at-Arms, may you get Omtatah out of the Parliament,” Kingi ordered .

A Long-Time Critic of the Administration

Senator Omtatah has for a long time been critical of President Ruto’s administration, often challenging various policies and decisions, including its governance strategy .

His suspension marks the latest confrontation between the outspoken senator and the Senate leadership, underscoring ongoing tensions over parliamentary language and the boundaries of political criticism .

Key Takeaways