MP Mbui accuses Speaker Wetangula of bias against Azimio MPs

According to Mbui, Speaker Wetangula has favoritism for Kenya Kwanza MPs in the House, particularly after the High Court flagged his declaration that the President William Ruto-led party is the majority.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Thursday, Mbui opined that Wetangula should uphold his arbiter role and veer from showing partiality as legislators convene for House meetings.

"I think that the Speaker should also learn how to respect Members of Parliament. When we had the debate on the first day he was very harsh and in my opinion, fairly disrespectful. As a Speaker you are not supposed to interfere with a member's contribution," he said.

MP Mbui further noted that the Azimio la Umoja leaders have withdrawn our membership in the House Business Committee, arguing that Speaker Wetangula's role will be rendered indefinite since House business cannot be conducted with one political faction in attendance.

"That means we are not participating in dealing with any business of the House. That also means that the House Business Committee collapses because it cannot be operating with one side," Mbui added.

"He has no role to play until further notice until we sit down and sort this matter. It's something we are not taking lightly."

However remaining dismissive, Mbui hinted at the possibility of ousting Wetangula once the Azimio coalition convenes to deliberate on the matter.

"I would not vote him out myself but as a coalition, we will sit down and discuss this matter. We will caution that he treats members differently."

A three-judge bench on February 7 found Wetangula in blatant violation of the Constitution, stating that he should have stepped down as Party Leader upon assuming the Speakership.

The court also found that the Speaker breached the law by declaring the Kenya Kwanza coalition as the majority in Parliament.

The court found that the Speaker had no justifiable basis for the reassignments and quashed the decision that granted Kenya Kwanza the majority status.

Sparking jitters among legislators, Wetangula cleared the air on Tuesday as MPs resumed House session from recess, insisting that the ruling issued last week, which invalidated the determination of Kenya Kwanza as the majority party in the House, did not directly declare any political entity as the majority.

Wetangula clarified that the court’s decision merely quashed his earlier direction and did not actually declare any side as the majority in Parliament.

“It is not the court to declare the majority. It is the Speaker of this House, and you better know that. It is the Speaker of the House to declare the majority.”