Court of Appeal rejects Wetangula’s bid to overturn ruling on Azimio’s majority status

Court of Appeal rejects Wetangula’s bid to overturn ruling on Azimio’s majority status

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula speaks during a courtesy call by representatives of the Pan African Parliament in his office on December 4, 2024. PHOTO | COURTESY

The Court of Appeal has declined to suspend a High Court ruling that declared the Azimio party as the majority in the National Assembly, dealing a blow to Speaker Moses Wetangula’s efforts to overturn the decision.

Wetangula had appealed the ruling, arguing that it had severely disrupted legislative functions. However, the Court dismissed this claim, stating that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that parliamentary business had been paralyzed.

"Even after the contested Speaker’s ruling of 12th February 2025, the National Assembly has continued to discharge its duties, albeit with some acrimony,” the judges noted.

The Court further ruled that granting a stay order would amount to prematurely endorsing the Speaker’s decision, as the High Court had yet to determine whether it complied with its earlier judgment.

Additionally, concerns that the ruling could lead to legal consequences—such as contempt of court proceedings against Speaker Wetangula—were dismissed.

“The likelihood of a party being summoned to court to respond to an allegation of contempt of court and the attendant inconvenience or embarrassment that may be so occasioned as a result is not sufficient reason to stay court proceedings,” the court noted.  

With this decision, the dispute over the National Assembly’s majority party remains unresolved, prolonging the legal battle.

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Moses Wetangula National Assembly

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