NAIROBI, KENYA — East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Falhada Iman has issued a public apology following a physical altercation with Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun (ODM), an incident captured on video and widely disseminated online.
In a statement released on Wednesday, MP Iman expressed deep regret, acknowledging that the incident was “beyond the dignity of the House and the trust of the Kenyan people.”
“The incident was unfortunate and unacceptable,” Iman stated. “While I initially exercised restraint in the face of repeated inflammatory remarks, the situation regrettably escalated beyond control. In the heat of the moment, my response crossed the line of decorum expected of a public servant. Let me be unequivocal: no circumstance justifies such a breach of conduct, and I take full accountability for my actions.” The EALA MP reiterated her commitment to a positive resolution and confirmed that the matter is currently being addressed through established institutional procedures.
Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun, the other party involved in the altercation, also addressed the incident, describing it as “deeply regrettable.”
“Today, an unfortunate incident occurred on the parliamentary grounds—a situation I deeply regret both as a Member of Parliament and as a mother,” she said.
MP Umulkheir accused Iman of harboring longstanding disagreements regarding her parliamentary work.
“My colleague from EALA, who has expressed consistent opposition to my work, confronted me in a manner I found completely unacceptable. She came to Parliament with the sole intent of attacking me, catching me completely off guard.” Harun confirmed that she has reported the incident to the appropriate authorities and expressed her hope that due process will be followed.
Video footage of the altercation, which surfaced online on Tuesday, depicted the two lawmakers engaged in a physical confrontation, with other female MPs attempting, unsuccessfully, to separate them.
At one point, a voice can be heard calling for assistance, while another pleads with onlookers to cease recording the scuffle.
Order was eventually restored when members of the Sergeant-at-Arms intervened and separated the two MPs. Even after the physical separation, the two continued to exchange verbal insults.
