The National Assembly has dismissed an attempt by the Grassroot Oversight Initiative (GOI) to initiate a motion to censure Speaker Moses Wetangula.
The dismissal comes after the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, informed the petitioners that parliamentary procedures do not allow the public to directly challenge the Speaker’s actions.
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The letter, dated February 7, 2025, cited the specific parliamentary rules that prevent external groups from influencing internal parliamentary affairs.
“We have perused the Constitution, the Petition to Parliament (Procedure) Act, 2012, and the National Assembly Standing Orders and note that Standing Order 87(1) provides that
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“The conduct of the Speaker can only be discussed through a substantive motion with at least three days’ notice,” the letter stated.
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According to Standing Order 87(1), the conduct of the Speaker can only be discussed through a substantive motion, which must be introduced by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP), with at least three days’ notice.
Samuel Njoroge, in his letter to the petitioners, added that only an MP who is aggrieved by the Speaker’s actions has the legal standing to initiate such a motion.
The Censure Motion
A Nakuru-based activist Laban Omusundi filed a petition through the Clerk of the Assembly, urging Members of Parliament (MPs) to initiate a censure motion against Wetang’ula.
According to Omusundi, Wetang’ula engaged in political activities that compromised his impartiality and undermined the independence of Parliament.
Additionally, he accused Wetang’ula of aligning himself with the Executive, citing remarks he made during President William Ruto’s tour of Western Kenya in January 2025.
“The Speaker is supposed to be a neutral arbiter, but his involvement in partisan politics disrespects the integrity of his office,”
“The Speaker uncharacteristically assured the President that the Western region was behind his administration, reiterated that the region was Ruto’s last line of defence, and the frontier of defence against political acrimony from his rivals,” he argued.
Also Read: What Next for Wetangula & Kingi After Court Ruling – Experts
Wetangula on the Spot for Supporting Gachagua Outster
At the same time, the petitioner criticised Wetang’ula for alleged lack of impartiality citing his support for the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in September 2024.
He claimed that Wetang’ula supported the impeachment motion even before it was tabled in Parliament, which offended the Standing Orders in anticipation of the debate.
Omusundi accused the Speaker of failing to conduct himself in a manner that is fair, nonpartisan, impartial, and devoid of pronouncements that undermine his office.
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