Azimio leaders slam Speaker Wetangula after court ruling on majority in Parliament

A section of opposition leaders has supported the High Court's latest declaration that the Kenya Kwanza coalition is not the majority party in the National Assembly, citing that justice is finally served.

On Friday, a three-judge bench of the High Court ruled that Speaker Moses Wetangula violated the Constitution by declaring Kenya Kwanza as the majority in 2022.

This is after 14 MPs were reassigned to the coalition, hence obtaining the majority status as Kenya Kwanza had 179 members while Azimio had 157. 

According to the judges, Speaker Wetangula contradicted the Registrar of Political Parties whose documents showed that Azimio comprised the majority.

The court also ruled that Wetangula cannot serve as Ford Kenya party leader and act as National Assembly Speaker, noting the need for impartiality in public office.

Following the court's ruling, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni noted that the majority of MPs switched allegiance after the 2022 elections to serve their selfish interests.

"What we have been going through in the last two years is political prostitution. If our politicians elected by Kenyans remained faithful and had respect for Kenya, we would not be where we are today," Kioni told Citizen Digital.

"There are many pieces of legislation (that have) been passed, those to me are unconstitutional. Wetangula should have known better and should not have taken us through this kind of embarrassment."

Kioni's sentiments were echoed by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch who castigated Wetangula for violating the law to serve the Executive's interests.

He noted that the incumbent Minority Leader in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed and whip Millie Odhiambo should claim Majority status. 

"Speaker Wetangula be bold, respect the court’s pronouncement and declare Junet Mohamed as Majority Leader and Bad Girl Millie as the Majority Whip," Oketch said. 

“As the Judiciary of Kenya, you truly remain our only beacon of hope. We the Azimio coalition members shall take our seats on the right side of the speaker and Hon. Junet Mohamed shall replace Hon. Ichungwa when the house resumes on Tuesday 11th February 2025 at 2.30 pm,” he wrote on his Facebook account.

Starehe MP Amos Mwago also welcomed the court's decision, citing that Wetangula should resign for violating the Constitution.

“Following my letter that I presented to the National Assembly dated 30th September I was clear that Wetangula violated the Constitution of the republic of Kenya and therefore he should resign,” Mwago stated.

"Now that the High Court has ruled that he cannot lead the Ford Kenya party and still be the Speaker of the National Assembly he should resign immediately."