The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has ruled on the majority and minority stalemate between the Azimio coalition and the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The speaker has announced that the majority and minority party of the house remains unchanged.
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While making the decision, Wetangula noted that Azimio consists of 154 members while Kenya Kwanza consists of 165 members.
Therefore, he said that the Kenya Kwanza party remained the majority party in the National Assembly.
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“The judgement seemed to have caused unprecedented confusion. I have read the judgement and it has been explain to me at length by our able legal team. The matter is related to a mixed part of prayers. I have instructed that an appeal be launched against the judgment.
“Azimio la Umoja One Kenya party consists of 154 members. The Kenya Kwanza consists of 165 members. It is notable that the numbers on Azimio are changed by a slight change in membership. However, I decline to engage in this controversy,” he said.
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However, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has noted that Azimio will not accept the decision adding that they will be taking legal action on the matter.
Also Read: Chaos in Parliament as Azimio Takes Over Majority Side
Chaos in Parliament
The debate over which coalition holds the majority in the National Assembly and Senate has been a contentious issue following a recent High Court ruling.
The ruling declared Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s previous recognition of President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance as the Majority party unconstitutional.
Consequently, members of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, who had long contested Kenya Kwanza’s claimed the majority.
Earlier on Tuesday, February 11, Azimio MPs and Senators made a dramatic entrance into Parliament and the Senate chambers occupying the seats designated for the majority side.
In the National Assembly, chaos erupted as Speaker Wetang’ula struggled to maintain order with loud protests from the Azimio lawmakers.
MPs including Kathiani’s Robert Mbui, Mogotio’s Reuben Kiborek, Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya Toto Aburi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and Tiaty MP William Kamket were among those who switched sides.
However, Wetang’ula directed them to take any available seat saying that they were not officially part of the House leadership.
Additionally, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo raised a point of order, insisting that the Speaker recuse himself from the debate due to a potential conflict of interest, given his ties to Kenya Kwanza.
She argued that Wetang’ula should allow Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei to preside over the matter, raising concerns about fairness.
On the other hand, a similar confrontation unfolded in the Senate, where ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna led Azimio Senators in occupying the majority seats.
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