The National Assembly during plenary MPs reconvened on Tuesday for the Fourth Session of
the 13th Parliament to a day of chaos as they clashed over which coalition was the Majority in the House.
The lawmakers had just resumed sittings after the long December recess, which saw the House take a break after the Christmas season.
Top on the agenda in the National Assembly was the reconstitution and approval of the membership of 18 committees of the House, including the House Business Committee chaired by the Speaker.
Also set to be prioritised was the consideration and approval
of the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Debt Management Strategy, both
of which were expected to be submitted in the House on or before February 15,
2025.
The BPS is an analysis of the policies meant to guide budgetary allocation over the medium term.
At the Senate, top on the agenda was the reconstitution of key committees.
Among them are the Senate Business Committee, reconstituted pursuant to Standing Order 190 (1), the County Public Accounts Committee under Standing Order 193, the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee in line with Standing Order 194 and the Committee on Delegated Legislation as per Standing Order 195.
Once the Senate Business Committee is reconstituted, one of its first tasks is to review and approve the session's draft calendar before presenting it to the Senate for approval.
In the National Assembly, several Bills that are at various stages are also set to be re-introduced for consideration by legislators.
Key among them includes the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (2023), which seeks to streamline revenue generation at the county level as well as the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, both of which are in mediation.
However, the first day for MPs in the National Assembly was marked by chaos as lawmakers tussled over the court's ruling that annulled a September 6, 2022 speaker's verdict declaring the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition as the majority side in the House.
The High Court ruled as unconstitutional Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s declaration, which followed his decision to assign Azimio defectors to Kenya Kwanza without proof of a treaty between their parties and Kenya Kwanza.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices John Chigiti, Lawrence Mugambi and Jairus Ngaah found that the Speaker violated the Constitution by making the determination without sufficient legal basis.
Some MPs demanded to have National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula vacate his office following the court's ruling.
Wetang'ula on Wednesday, nonetheless, stood by his 2022 ruling and maintained the status quo of the House leadership.
He ruled that the leadership of the House remained unchanged, with Kenya Kwanza as the Majority with 165 members, and Azimio as the Minority with 154 members.
"Arising from the foregoing, the Kenya Kwanza is the majority and the Azimio is the minority. The Leadership of the House remains unchanged," the speaker stated.
Wetang'ula explained that the court did not give the direction on which side was the Majority or Minority.
He noted that the status quo remained as Kenya Kwanza had more members than the opposition Azimio.
Wetang'ula directed that an appeal be lodged on the High Court's decision.
Tensions ran high as lawmakers from the Azimio la Umoja coalition staged a walkout in protest of Wetang'ula’s ruling.
Azimio MPs, led by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, walked out of the chambers and shortly after addressed the media to express their dissatisfaction.
Azimio MPs said they are considering a number of actions including sponsoring an impeachment against the Speaker.
