National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is set to address
the House on Wednesday regarding the Majority and Minority question, following
a dramatic shift on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Minority side moved to occupy seats reserved for the Majority party, citing a High Court ruling that declared Azimio the Majority coalition.
The ruling has caused turmoil in the Senate and National Assembly, with MPs allied to Raila Odinga’s ODM crossing over to the Majority side, insisting on its enforcement.
A heated debate erupted in the House as lawmakers clashed over the ruling’s implications.
Speaker Wetang’ula found himself at the centre of controversy, with some lawmakers calling for his resignation over his October 2022 decision that recognized Kenya Kwanza as having 179 MPs compared to Azimio’s 157.
Facing mounting pressure, he allowed members to debate the matter before making a formal ruling on Wednesday.
Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, who sat on the Majority side, insisted the ruling must be obeyed unless appealed.
“A court ruling has only two options—obey it or appeal it. There is no third way,” he said, expressing readiness to assume the Majority Leader role.
However, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah argued the ruling did not explicitly determine the Majority and Minority sides.
“The ruling only annulled your [Wetang’ula’s] October 2022 decision. The effect is that we revert to the status quo as of August 9, 2022,” he asserted.
Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro maintained that Parliament, as an independent arm of government, cannot be dictated to by the courts.
Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo called for Wetang’ula’s resignation, citing a conflict of interest as the Ford Kenya leader.
A three-judge bench—Justices John Chigiti, Lawrence Mugambi, and Jairus Ngaah—overturned Wetang’ula’s decision recognizing Kenya Kwanza as the Majority.
The court ruled he violated the Constitution by assigning Kenya Kwanza 14 MPs from other parties without justification.
Wetang’ula defended his stance, emphasizing that Parliament is independent and only members can determine its affairs.
“Neither the court nor any other organization can make decisions for this House,” he declared.
