How I overcame restrictive security to bring my baby to Parliament

Kwale's representative, Zuleikha Juma Hassan, says she does not regret entering the National Assembly debate chamber with her five-month-old baby on Wednesday.

The incident was captured by local and international media. The Chamber is only reserved for 349 elected and nominated members, the President, three secretaries and, of course, the sergeant of arms.

BREAST-FEEDING

Hassan argues that his was a case of agitation because of the problems that affect women, especially those employed, who lack basic services such as nurseries in their workplaces to be able to care for their children, even breastfeeding, whenever necessary .

She says she had no intention of going against the Regulation, which governs the conduct of parliamentarians and others within the House or within the precincts of Parliament. The incident coincided with the week of breastfeeding, but the mother of three maintains that she was not aware of the occasion.

She says she has had problems with who to leave her children, like any other mother, every time her babysitters call to say they are sick or have an emergency.


She says she knew Tuesday night that her babysitter would not be available. With no intention of staying at home and losing his parliamentary duties, he decided to take the baby to the Chamber. "I had to plan how to take my point home and, indeed, it was a success," says Hassan.

“I said this is enough. Why should I miss work just because I have a baby? This made me think that if I don't do it now, I should forget it completely, "he says and adds:" I called my husband and explained it to him and he gave me the approval. "

That Wednesday morning, she dressed her baby and went to work.

"My official car was in Kwale at that time and I decided to take a taxi to Bunge," said Hassan.

ORGANIZED

With the policy of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) on facilitation for parliamentarians and Parliament staff in breastfeeding, going through the heavily protected doors of Parliament's buildings was not a problem.

Later he sneaked into the cameras through the back entrance, beyond a distracted ordinance.

“He tried to block me but it was too late. He was already in the Chamber when he pleaded. I went straight to the front row where I wanted the speaker to notice me easily and I started breastfeeding my little angel. "

At that time, temporary president Christopher Omulele (Luanda) was in the chair. “The ordinances came to me in their numbers and asked me to give them the baby. But I told them that the baby would cry, ”she says.

Later, Mr. Omulele ordered him to leave the Chamber immediately, something that qualifies as hard.

"I think if it were Mr. Muturi, I would have given time for other members to comment on the incident," she says.

UNFAIR GROSS

After making his point, he went straight home. Later that day, the Parliament administration ordered the hasty renovation of the nursery at Continental House, where parliamentarians have offices. At the end of the day, the room was fully equipped with cribs and toys, among other baby items.

The National Assembly on Friday night denied claims by the Kenyan Law Society (LSK) that Ms. Hassan and her baby were mistreated.

“Permanent orders force the President to order a member who behaves in a disorderly manner to leave the Chamber. Ms. Hassan left the Chamber in compliance with the President's directive, "said Secretary Michael Sialai.

In his statement, the LSK through its president Allen Waiyaki had condemned what he described as an archaic act and described it as extremely unfair and discriminatory not only for the member of Parliament but also for the child.

Mr. Sialai said that Parliament has facilities for members and nursing staff; Childcare within its enclosures and that the rule of law and the Constitution is always maintained.