Umulkheir Harun Apologizes After Heated Altercation with Fellow Legislator at Parliament
An apology has followed a dramatic altercation that took place at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, where two female Members of Parliament were involved in a physical confrontation in full view of cameras.
In widely circulated footage, ODM-nominated MP Umulkheir Harun and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman were seen engaging in a scuffle as fellow female lawmakers tried, unsuccessfully, to separate them. Shouts and insults were exchanged before the Sergeant-at-Arms intervened to break up the fight.
Even after being pulled apart, the two MPs continued hurling insults, drawing further attention and concern over the conduct within the august House.
Following the incident, MP Umulkheir issued a public statement expressing deep regret over the confrontation. She described the situation as “unfortunate,” adding that it was not only disappointing but also unbecoming of her position as a legislator and a mother.
“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 in part.
Umulkheir confirmed that she had reported the incident to the relevant authorities and reaffirmed her commitment to professionalism and integrity.
“I sincerely regret this occurrence and want to emphasize that I do not endorse or encourage any form of misconduct,” she stated, adding, “While I am not providing further comments at this time, I remain fully committed to upholding the respectful and dignified standards expected of our institution and myself, particularly as a Muslim woman.”
Acknowledging the pressures of political life, the nominated MP emphasized that such challenges should never lead to behavior that undermines the dignity of parliamentary service.
She concluded with a call for a more respectful and constructive political environment moving forward.
