Speaker Wetangula Accused Of ‘Perpetrating’ State Capture After Declaring Kenya Kwanza Majority Party In N.A

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct, 7 – Chaos broke out at the National Assembly on Thursday temporarily disrupting proceedings after House Speaker Moses Wetangula declared Kenya Kwanza alliance as the majority party in Parliament.

Wetangula had ruled that Kenya Kwanza coalition had 179 Members of Parliament against Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance’s 157.

The news saw opposing MPs burst out in anger and even attempt to snatch the mace – a symbol of parliamentary authority force the Sergeant at Arms forced to protect it.

Azimio further said that 14 MPs designated as Kenya Kwanza affiliates were actually their members.

The leaders were drawn from Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC), Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), the United Democratic Movement (UDM), and the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG).

They further argued that as per the law the MPs were still members of Azimio since their coalition agreement was still in place.

“This is the capture of parliament by the executive, it has begun, It is for the first time a speaker in his place is removing MPs from one party to the other party, he has become the registrar of the political parties, speaker of the national assembly, he is law unto himself,” said Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.

“What we have witnessed today is dictatorship by Parliament through the Speaker. Kenyans gave the Registrar of Political Parties an exclusive mandate to manage political party affairs. There is no other office in Kenya unless it is the Judiciary interpreting the law,” said Nominated MP John Mbadi.

In the current dispensation, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah appears bound to become the Majority Leader in the National Assembly with Kilifi North MP Owen Mbaya deputizing him.

Also, South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro will serve as the Chief Whip and deputized by Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Jilo Waqo.

Alternatively, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition will take up Minority Leadership positions in the National Assembly with Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, now expected to serve as the Minority Leader in the National Assembly while Kathiani MP Robert Mbu will deputize him.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed will serve as Minority Whip, deputized by Nominated MP Sabina Chege.