Hundreds of Bungoma residents took to the streets in a peaceful protest against threats to impeach National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
The placard-waving demonstrators chanted slogans in support of Wetang’ula and alleged that opposition MPs were behind the plot to remove the Speaker.
The protests come amid heightened political tensions in Parliament, where opposition MPs have alleged that Wetang’ula is favouring Kenya Kwanza in key House decisions.
Wetang’ula is under pressure to relinquish his position as Ford Kenya leader or resign as Speaker after the High Court ruled he cannot hold both positions.
The protesters called on President William Ruto to protect Wetang’ula’s crucial role in delivering the Western Kenya vote to President Ruto in the 2022 elections.
"Those pushing for his impeachment should respect him and recognise his contributions to this government,” said John Wekesa, a resident of Webuye.
The protesters recalled that the Ken- ya Kwanza alliance toured Bungoma after the 2022 elections and endorsed Wetang’ula for the National Assembly Speaker position.
“Apart from coming here to worship with you, I have also come to ask for your senator to become our next Speaker,” Ruto said then at Christ the King Church.
“We have the numbers and without a doubt, Wetang’ula will be our Speaker.”
Wekesa said the President should protect Wetang’ula for being loyal to him and spearheading Kenya Kwanza agenda.
The demonstrators urged opposition MPs, particularly those allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition, to focus on supporting the government’s development agenda in the spirit of the broad-based government rather than engaging in political fights.
“We want leaders to work together to fulfil the promises they made to Kenyans, not to waste time on unnecessary political battles,” Rose Matere said.
“Wetang’ula has been instrumental in passing key laws that are driving the country forward and we call upon President Ruto and all Kenya Kwanza MPs to shield him from unnecessary attacks.”
A youth leader from Kanduyi, Dickson Okisai,said Wetang’ula had stood with the President and ensured that Parliament functioned efficiently.
Those eyeing his seat should wait for 2027 instead of attempting to force him out.
The residents vowed to continue defending Wetang’ula against what they perceived as politically motivated attacks, warning that any attempts to remove him would face strong resistance from Western Kenya leaders and voters.
The National Assembly has rejected
an attempt by a lobby to discuss the
conduct of Wetang’ula.
