EALA MP Iman apologises after fight with ODM’s Umulkheir Harun in Parliament

MP Iman said in a statement released on Wednesday that the incident was "beyond the dignity of the House and the trust of the Kenyan people," and that she deeply regretted it.

“The incident was unfortunate and unacceptable,” Iman said. “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 stated that the issue is currently being handled through the proper institutional channels.

Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun, who was involved in the altercation, also spoke out, calling the incident "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 about her work in Parliament.

“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 had reported the incident to the relevant authorities and expressed hope that due process would be followed.

Footage of the incident, which surfaced online on Tuesday, shows the two lawmakers in a physical altercation as other female MPs try—unsuccessfully—to separate them. At one point, one MP can be heard calling for help while another pleads with onlookers to stop recording the scuffle.

Order was eventually restored when members of the Sergeant-at-Arms intervened and separated the two MPs. Even after the separation, the two continued exchanging verbal insults.