The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has defended lawmakers allied to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) for wearing coordinated party colours during the swearing-in of newly elected Ol Kalou MP Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho, saying the occasion was an exception to the House rules because it marked a special parliamentary event.
Wetang’ula made the ruling in the National Assembly on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie raised a point of order questioning whether DCP legislators had acted within the Standing Orders by appearing in matching green outfits associated with their party.
In his ruling, the Speaker said the House would allow the attire on this occasion because Parliament had previously permitted a similar display during another by-election swearing-in.
He reminded Kiarie that he had also attended a House sitting in United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party colours after then-Kiambaa MP John Njuguna Wanjiku was elected, making it difficult for him to challenge the current situation.
“But for today, because we have a precedent, when Honourable Kawanjiku of Kiambaa won his election, even Honourable KJ came to this chamber wearing UDA party colours, and it was allowed because it was a special occasion for the House.”
The Speaker, however, made it clear that the decision only applied to the swearing-in ceremony and should not be taken as permission for Members to wear party uniforms during normal parliamentary business.
“From today onwards, unless it’s such a special occasion, we do not entertain party uniforms in the House… the moment you turn them into party symbols and party agitation in the House, you will be ruled out of order,” the speaker made it clear.
Before the ruling, Kiarie argued that while an individual Member wearing a particular colour could be viewed as a personal fashion choice, a coordinated group of 13 lawmakers dressed in identical party colours amounted to displaying party insignia inside the House, which he said was against the Standing Orders.
Even as he raised the concern, Kiarie congratulated Ngotho on his victory in the Ol Kalou by-election and welcomed him to Parliament.
“The young gentleman who has joined the House won convincingly in his constituency, and we would like to welcome him to Bunge and let him know that there are Standing Orders that guide how Members ought to present themselves in the House,” Kj said.
The debate came as DCP legislators arrived in Parliament dressed in matching green blazers and other party colours to celebrate Ngotho’s swearing-in. His election gave the Democracy for the Citizens Party its first Member of Parliament following its landslide victory in the Ol Kalou by-election.