Wetangula declares Kenya Kwanza as Majority side, Azimio MPs walk out in protest

In a ruling issued in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Speaker Wetangula explained that the Court did not give the direction on which side is the Majority or minority. 

He noted that the status quo remains unchanged as Kenya Kwanza comprises 165 members as opposed to Azimio's 154. 

Further, Wetangula directed that an appeal be lodged on the High Court's decision. 

"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. 

Azimio MPs led by Suba South MP Millie Odhiambo disagreed with Wetangula's decision and noted that they would opt for further action against his ruling. 

"As Azimio we very respectfully disagree with your communication... As Azimio we are going to take further action," Odhiambo stated. 

Moments later, the disgruntled Azimio MPs proceeded to walk out of the House. 

Speaker Wetangula's ruling comes amid the debate about which party occupies the Majority side following the latest High Court ruling to strip Kenya Kwanza of its majority status. 

This is after Justices John Chigiti, Lawrence Mugambi, and Jairus Ngaah noted that Speaker Wetangula contradicted the Registrar of Political Parties whose documents showed that Azimio had the majority status in 2022 before 14 MPs jumped ship to the ruling party. 

Following the court ruling, Azimio MPs occupied the Majority side during the resumption of Parliamentary sittings on Tuesday and called upon Speaker Wetangula to honour the court ruling. 

“The court decided that the Azimio side is the majority coalition. As a parliament, we need to obey court rulings even if we do not agree with them," she said.