Migori Senator Eddy Oketch was ordered out of the Senate chambers after a heated exchange with temporary Speaker Catherine Mumma on Wednesday, May 14.
Senator Mumma directed that Oketch stay away for the remaining session over disorderly conduct.
Trouble began when Oketch sought clarity from Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale regarding the welfare of the striking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers who had been transferred to county governments but had not been paid. "What is the CS doing to resolve the strike of UHC workers?" Oketch asked. "Will those transferred to the county government be paid by the national government the same way community health workers are paid?" He continued, "Is the CS going to ensure they are put on permanent and pensionable terms in the ongoing budget preparation?" However, Speaker Mumma appeared reluctant to allow Oketch a second round of questioning, citing time constraints, which sparked a tense back-and-forth. "There are many questions that have been asked, but for the interest of time, may you postpone all the questions and let the CS answer the UHC one?" Oketch appealed. "I have ruled on that question," Mumma responded. "I'm not overruling you on that.
I'm just requesting for indulgence," Oketch insisted.
