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Kenyan MPs emulate Ghanaian counterparts as lawmakers exchange blows over voting; one injured

Before the dust could settle on the <a href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/politics/mps-caught-on-camera-fighting-in-parliament-must-be-prosecuted-occupyghana/g3087s3">violence that erupted in Ghana’s parliament over the controversial e-levy,</a> a similar incident has occurred in Kenya’s parliament on 29 December 2021, leaving one of the lawmakers with a cut in his face.
Kenyan MPs emulate Ghanaian counterparts as lawmakers exchange blows over voting; one injured
Kenyan MPs emulate Ghanaian counterparts as lawmakers exchange blows over voting; one injured

According to the-star.co.ke, MPs engaged in a fierce exchange of bare blows during a debate on the controversial Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

The news website reports that the lawmakers were voting on amendments to clause Six by Kandara MP Alice Wahome which seeks to, among others, provide for the procedure for the registration of a coalition political party.

“The Bill is seen as part of the strategy to turn Azimio La Umoja, Opposition Chief Raila Odinga's 2022 machine into a coalition party,” the news outlet added.

But proceedings turned violent as the MPs traded blows while others threw water bottles to kick against the process.

READ ALSO: Ghanaian pharmacist shot in the stomach by robbers drives himself 4 miles to the hospital

After about five minutes of turning the legislature into a free-for-all boxing arena, calm was restored before it came to light that Sigowet-Soin MP Kipsengeret Koros suffered a cut in the face during the disturbance just as it happened in the case of Ghana.

"We cannot accept to be injured in a House of Parliament. This can't happen, Mr Speaker," Koros is quoted as saying after the hostilities.

The chaos compelled the session chair, Luanda MP Chris Omulele to suspend the sitting for 15 minutes for tempers to cool down.

The only difference between what occurred in Ghana’s parliament over the electronic transaction levy and what has been recorded in Kenya’s parliament is the fact that the former happened in the night while the latter took place in the afternoon.

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