Moses Wetang’ula Fails to Rule on Kenya Kwanza, Azimio House Majority Stalemate
Moses Wetang’ula Fails to Rule on Kenya Kwanza, Azimio House Majority Stalemate
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has failed to name House majority and minority leaders.
Leaders in the 13th parliament stood on the floor of the House to listen to President William Ruto’s first address. Photo: Parliament of Kenya.
Wetang’ula abstained from the huge balancing act by asking House members to debate the matter before he made a final ruling.
“With respect to the first question honourable members, I will reserve the rest of today’s sitting to allow the House to address me on this matter so that I can retreat to make a reasoned ruling and guidance to the house,” Wetang’ula said during the first sitting on Tuesday, October 4.
The benevolent Speaker based his decision on saying the matter about the leadership needed time before a conclusive decision was made.
The ruling determines the majority between Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party and Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
He stated that he had received multiple nomination lists from the political camps.
The House standing orders 19A(1)(4) and 20(A)(5) called for keen deliberation prompting Wetang’ula to delegate to Gladys Boss Shollei in an oversight capacity.
He said that the powers vested on him by standing order number 1 authorized the Deputy Speaker to lay papers in the House with statutory deadlines, which the law requires.
“The matter as to who is the majority and minority must be grounded in our standing orders, in law, the constitution and facts,” the Speaker explained.
For the Majority leader position, Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party has nominated Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi against William Ruto’s led Kenya Kwanza Alliance Kimani Ichungwa.
South Mugirango lawmaker Sylvanus Osoro was fielded by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as the majority whip, while Raila’s side nominated Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
The legislators continued to trade jabs as they warmed up to start debating bills in the 13th parliament.
