Wetangula Gives Direction on Majority Question as Azimio, Kenya Kwanza Standoff Persists

A picture of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula in his office at Parliament Buildings on September 8, 2022.
A picture of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula in his office at Parliament Buildings on September 8, 2022.
Parliament of Kenya

Azimio and Kenya Kwanza will have to wait longer for the determination of which political faction has the majority members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly.

Speaking on the floor of the House on Tuesday, October 4, Speaker Moses Wetangula declared that he could not execute Standing Order 19A(1) (4) and 20(A) (5) as he had received multiple lists of nominations to the majority leadership in Parliament.

Wetangula admitted that the situation caused a dilemma and consequently asked for the members to debate the matter in the house before he retreats to make a final pronouncement. 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula addressing MPs in Parliament on Monday, October 4, 2022 .jpg
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula addressing MPs in Parliament on Monday, October 4, 2022.
Citizen Digital

"Faced with these conflicting correspondences, you will agree with me that it is impossible for me and the Clerk to discharge those requirements of the standing orders at this moment

"With respect to the first question Honourable Members, I will reserve the rest of today’s Sitting to allow the House to address me on this matter so that I can retreat to issue my guidance," the Speaker noted.

The battle of supremacy between lawmakers affiliated with President William Ruto and former premier Raila Odinga threatened to disrupt the business of the House given that the House Business Committee is elected by the Majority.

Wetangula dismissed this notion stating that the settings will not be affected by the same and will continue as scheduled.  In line with this, he picked his Deputy Gladys Shollei to oversee the conduction of certain house businesses.

"I will exercise my powers under Standing Order No. 1, and authorise the Deputy Speaker to lay certain papers in the House which have a statutory deadline and which the law requires that they must be laid in the House when it first sits," he stated.

In addition, Shollei will give notice of motion on the noting of the President’s Address and another on limitation of the debate on the same. She will further give members of parliament an opportunity to debate the motion.

The Speaker explained that the next sitting will be to discuss the speech made by President William Ruto during the opening of the 13th Parliament. It will be discussed in the house from  October 5 to October 11.

While making submissions before the House, Kikuyu MP and Kenya Kwanza nominee for the leader of the majority - Kimani Ichung'wah - argued that Azimio coalition was a party, but had no single seat in the National Assembly, thus is the minority.

"The question that is before you is to determine which is the largest political party or coalition of political parties, and that party must be a parliamentary party," Ichung'wah moved.

Meanwhile, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot was confirmed the Majority leader in the Senate and will be deputised by his Nakuru counterpart Tabitha Karanja. 

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was handed the Majority Whip position while his Samburu's Steve Lelegwe will act as deputy Majority Whip. 

On the other hand, the leader of the minority will be led by  Kilifi Senator Steward Madzayo and his Kitui counterpart Enoch Wambua. Azimio will be whipped by  Fatuma Dullo and Ledama Ole Kina.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at Parliament during the swearing-in on Semptember 8, 2022
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at Parliament during the swearing-in on Semptember 8, 2022
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