During a heated parliamentary session yesterday, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo caused a stir when she openly criticized MP Cliff Gesairo over what she described as inappropriate dressing during official proceedings.
Known for her bold and no-nonsense approach, Odhiambo did not mince her words as she addressed what she saw as a disregard for parliamentary decorum.With a tone laced in sarcasm, Odhiambo remarked, “We know you are from Dubai and you really have nice looks, but should you wear that to Parliament, or are you planning to welcome Matiang’i to the country?” Her comments were met with a mixture of laughter and unease across the chamber.
Some MPs appeared entertained by her blunt delivery, while others seemed visibly uncomfortable with the personal nature of her remarks.
Odhiambo didn’t stop at just criticizing the outfit. She went further to suggest that Gesairo’s dressing was politically charged, alleging that it signaled his support for former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
“We know you are a full supporter of Matiang’i,” she added, “but that is not the way to support him.” According to her, political alignment should be expressed through policy and action, not through flamboyant fashion choices during legislative sessions.
Following her remarks, she turned to the Speaker of the House and called for immediate action. Odhiambo urged the Speaker to enforce parliamentary dress code rules and ensure that MPs uphold a certain level of professionalism in their appearance.
The Speaker, however, appeared caught off guard by the exchange and admitted he had not gotten a clear look at Gesairo’s attire. He opted to defer the matter to the Sergeant-at-Arms for further review and response.
The incident quickly spilled over onto social media, where opinions were sharply divided. Some users praised Odhiambo for standing up for professionalism in Parliament, arguing that elected leaders should lead by example, especially in matters of decorum.
Others felt that her approach was too personal and perhaps even a form of public shaming that could have been handled more discreetly. The remark about Matiang’i in particular raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether it was appropriate to link attire to political loyalty in such a public manner.
Whether or not Gesairo will face disciplinary action remains unclear. What is evident, however, is that the exchange reignited long-standing concerns about the standards expected within Parliament.