Didmus Barasa was forced to apologize to Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris for insulting and threatening her.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi on Tuesday compelled the Kimilili Member of Parliament to withdraw a statement he made in parliament on Thursday last week.
Barasa had threatened to punch Passaris and even referred to her as ‘stupid’ for interrupting him during a presentation when he was on a point of motion.
The two leaders were caught up in a spat on the floor of the House while discussing an alleged sex tape involving Wajir Woman Rep Fatuma Gedi.
“Mr Speaker, I will punch this woman who is making noise to me. Don’t make noise to me here,” Barasa.
But on Thursday, he was forced to swallow his words after Passaris rose on a point of order to demand that the lawmaker apologises for going against the standing orders.
“I rise on the standing orders 107 and 107b that speaks about the conduct of a member in this house. The standing orders provide for the procedure of dealing with such conduct. The member threatened to punch me in the house and went further to use of non-parliamentary language against me when I demanded that he withdraw his utterances,”said Passaris.
“Kenya is a signatory to many treaties against abuse on women, I, therefore, ask the speaker to compel the MP to withdraw his abusive utterances,” she added.
Speaker Muturi obliged and asked Barasa to apologise after he was provided with a hansard report showing Barasa’s remarks were unpalatable.
“After consulting the Hansard I find Hon. Barasa’s utterances offensive to the fellow member and to women in this house at large. I, therefore, direct that the honorable member apologise both to Hon. Passaris and to the house at large for interrupting the normal house sessions,” said Muturi.
In his apology, Barasa invited Passaris to dinner later that day.
“Mr Speaker sir, I with withdraw my remarks and sincerely apologise to Passari. I equally invite her for dinner today at 7:30 pm,” he told the Parliament.
