KENYAN BLING BLING MP SACKED

Kenya: MP Gidion Mbuvi's ejected for earring

Gidion Mbuvi



A Kenyan lawmaker has been kicked out of parliament for wearing ear studs adorned with precious stones.

Gidion Mbuvi, who also had sunglasses, was excluded from a session after other MPs decided that the way he dressed offended the dignity of the assembly.

Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim said the house had never before been entered by a male lawmaker wearing earrings.

But supporters of the 35-year-old Mr Mbuvi, who is nicknamed "rich man", accused Mr Maalim of intolerance.

'Way of life'

Mr Mbuvi, who represents Nairobi, caused an uproar when he walked into the parliament building on Tuesday.

"The dress or the manner in which the honourable (MP) is dressed today does not depict, in the eyes and the opinion and the conscience of the chair, the dignity of this house and that of an honourable member," Mr Maalim was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

"Never in the history of this house... have I seen a situation in which a member of parliament, who is a male, come in with earrings or some stuff in the ears or whatever you may want to call it," the deputy speaker said.

But supporters of the lawmaker popularly known as Sonko - a Swahili term describing a rich and flamboyant person - argued Mr Maalim just showed his intolerance.

"The way of life of a Sonko is one who dresses well, by putting on stunners, studs, sports and well-lined suits, and that is what you are witnessing here today," one MP said.

Mr Mbuvi was elected to parliament last year.

BBC