Deputy Minority Whip and Kathiani Member of Parliament, Robert Mbui, has admitted to breaking the law during a dramatic incident in the National Assembly involving the House mace. The confession came during a Citizen TV interview on November 25, 2025, where Mbui explained his side of the parliamentary controversy that captured national attention.
Mbui stated that he had requested to rise on a point of order to inform the Speaker that the House lacked quorum. According to the MP, his request was ignored by the presiding officer, prompting him to act in a way he now admits was unlawful to gain the Speaker’s attention.
“I stood on a point of order and insisted that I get the attention of the Speaker, and just because I am in the minority, she chose to ignore me. I stood up, broke the law, and shouted, and she continued to ignore me. I took the mace but did not get out of the House with it,” Mbui explained.
The Deputy National Assembly Speaker, Gladys Boss Shollei, who presided over the session, was also on the panel during the interview. Shollei defended her actions, saying she did not notice Mbui rising on a point of order and only observed him removing the mace three metres from its usual position.
Mbui’s suspension, initially set at 28 days, was reduced to five days due to his normally disciplined conduct in the House. The Kathiani MP has since written to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, claiming the punishment was unfair and attributing his actions to the Deputy Speaker’s alleged misconduct.
Following the completion of his five-day suspension, Deputy Minority Whip Robert Mbui is expected to return to parliamentary duties. The incident has sparked nationwide discussions on parliamentary discipline and the limits of protest within the legislative chamber.
