There was a drama at the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon after a number of male MPs interrupted the House session to debate the dress choice made by Murang’a Women Representative Sabina Chege.

Sabina entered the house clad in a white v-neck top with short sleeves, much to the liking of her male colleagues who said that her dress choice was inappropriate.

Makueni MP Dan Maanzo rose on a point of order where he notified the Speaker on Sabina’s dressing.

Maanzo stated that although the Murang’a Women Representative was marking her birthday on the same day, there was no excuse for failing to observe the standing orders on how members should dress while in the August house.

Sabina initially defended herself and dismissed Maanzo as merely seeking her attention.

However, Maanzo’s point was supported by National Assembly Majority and Minority leaders.

Minority Leader John Mbadi accused her female colleague of failing to obey standing orders on members’ dress code.

“She is inappropriately dressed for the House. She has exposed her arms, and comes across as someone dressed for a birthday party. Should I come to the House sporting a short-sleeved shirt tomorrow, would you allow me in the House, Mr Speaker? I want to urge you to ask Honorable Sabina to go and dress appropriately for being in the House,” Mbadi said.

National Assembly Majority Leader, Aden Duale, said his colleague’s dressing was contravening the Parliamentary dress code for MPs.

“According to the dress code for lawmakers, women should wear clothes that are modest. What Honorable Sabina is wearing is not appropriate,” Duale said.

As the excited MPs continued with the debate in excitement, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi intervened and ruled that there was nothing wrong with Sabina’s top.

He ruled that while the standing orders expressly barred men from wearing short-sleeved shirts, women are merely expected to dress “decently”.

“Members of the press and the National Assembly must be properly dressed; male MPs must wear collared long-sleeved shirts; a tie, a pair of socks and shoes. Women, on the other hand, should wear clothes that are decent, formal, and are of business-wear nature.”

“I am looking at Honorable Sabina Chege, and though she has exposed her arms as Mr Mbadi said, she seems to have dressed in a formal and business manner. It depends on how the persons looking at her have chosen to, you know? From where I sit, I find that Honourable Sabina Chege, though she can dress better, is dressed appropriately for House business,” the deputy speaker ruled.

Cheboi added that moving forward, those entering the house would be required to strictly follow the relevant standing orders.