MP Salasya forced to delete video of Parliament session after backlash
Ichung’wah demanded that the Speaker order Salasya to apologise and delete the video from his social media pages.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya was forced to apologise on Tuesday after being accused of livestreaming parliamentary proceedings on his social media platforms, in violation of House rules.
The matter was raised by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who claimed that Salasya had filmed himself while making inappropriate remarks.
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“On the matter of decorum of the House, I saw Salasya livestreaming the proceedings and recording himself from the back seat. The House and the Parliamentary Service Commission provide live coverage on TV, and we cannot belittle this institution through such uncouth behaviour,” Ichung’wah said.
He further alleged that the MP made “very unpalatable” remarks on live media and urged the Speaker to demand an apology and the removal of the footage from social media.
The accusation led to a heated exchange between Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Salasya, who denied any wrongdoing.
“Are you livestreaming proceedings and making unpalatable comments along the way?” Wetang’ula asked.
Salasya responded, “Most of the time I have been staying here without being given time?”
The Speaker pressed further, asking whether the allegations were true. In response, Salasya distanced himself from his social media platforms.
“I don’t know what he is talking about because I don’t run my social media platforms. What I wanted is to have my contributions,” he said.
An unconvinced Wetang’ula warned that Parliament had the power to access Salasya’s phone logs to verify the claims, cautioning the MP against dishonesty.
“Be honourable, my dear young man! If you are not honourable, it is very easy for Parliament to ask for the logs in your phone and see what you are doing. If you say it is true, then the Speaker will take other remedial actions. If you don’t, it is a matter that you can find your way to the Powers and Privileges Committee with an intended consequence… Dishonesty is not a virtue,” Wetang’ula warned.
Salasya, appearing unbothered, responded, “I don’t know what he is saying, but maybe I can go, confirm and check what he is saying.”
Following the exchange, the Speaker directed the Clerk to obtain Salasya’s mobile device for verification.
Despite the controversy, Salasya continued livestreaming the proceedings on Instagram, making light of the debate, which centred on the rightful Majority and Minority sides in Parliament.
The debate followed a February 7 High Court ruling that faulted Speaker Wetang’ula’s decision to declare Kenya Kwanza as the Majority side. Tensions in the House escalated as Azimio lawmakers, led by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, moved to take up the Majority leadership role.
As tempers cooled, Ichung’wah again raised concerns over Salasya’s conduct, urging the Speaker to take action.
“On a matter of decorum of the House, I was just perusing what is going on my phone, and I saw MP Salasya livestreaming the proceedings of the House,” Ichung’wah said.
“He was recording himself from his seat at the back; the House under the Parliamentary Service Commission has given us live coverage on national TV, and we cannot belittle the work of this House through livestreaming on your phone.”
Ichung’wah demanded that the Speaker order Salasya to apologise and delete the video from his social media pages.
Salasya initially denied the allegations, claiming he had not confirmed what Ichung’wah was referring to.
“I don’t know what Ichung’wah is talking about, I also have my own contribution I wanted to make. Maybe MP Ichung’wah can say what I said,” he responded.
Wetang’ula cautioned Salasya that he risked disciplinary action if found guilty.
“If you did that, I want to guide you as a young member because I want you to grow in your leadership. The Bible says the greatest word in human relations is one word called sorry. If you did that, say sorry and delete it, and we move on.”
Under pressure, Salasya relented and apologised to the House, agreeing to remove the video from his social media accounts.
“Mr Speaker, I apologise, withdraw, and delete,” he said.
The Speaker then directed the Clerk to confirm that the videos had been deleted.
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