Wetang'ula woes deepen as censure motion against him is filed

National Assembly's Speaker Moses Wetangula arrives for parliamentary sitting on January 16, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula's woes have deepened after a public petition was filed before the House seeking his ouster. Nakuru activist Laban Omusundi filed the petition through the Clerk of the Assembly, urging Members of Parliament (MPs) to move a censure motion against Wetang'ula. Omusundi submits that Wetang'ula has been engaging in political activities that breach the principles of impartiality and independence expected of the Speaker. "The Speaker is supposed to be an arbiter, and he should be involved in politics because it is a disrespect to his office," he submits. Omusundi claims that Wetang'ula has compromised the independence of Parliament by allegedly acting as an appendage of the Executive. He alleges that Wetang'ula made controversial public statements during Ruto's tour in Western Kenya in January 2025. "He 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," says Omusundi. The petitioner criticises Wetang'ula for alleged lack of impartiality citing his support for the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in September 2024. He claims that Wetang'ula supported the impeachment motion even before it was tabled in Parliament, which offended the Standing Orders in anticipation of the debate. Further, Omusundi alleged that Wetang'ula disrespected the office of the Speaker when he projected that he was Ruto's point man in the Western region. He says that it was wrong for Wetang'ula to allegedly purport that MPs would always vote alongside one pattern, which favoured Ruto. Omusundi accuses the Speaker of failing conduct himself in a manner that is fair, nonpartisan, impartial, and devoid of pronouncements that undermine his office. He claims that Wetang'ula has offended Article 75 of the Constitution, which provides for impartiality and independence of the Parliament and the Speaker. "He leads a House with anti-government MPs and invites conflicts of interest in the subject matter, compromising the public interests, demeaning his office, and setting a bad precedent," states Omusundi. He argues that despite the public and the MPs being aware of Wetang'ula's behaviour, no efforts have been put in place to address the concerns. The petition has been received and stamped by the Assembly, and it is awaiting allocation to various committees in the House. The petition comes even as Azimio MPs push for Wetang'ula's impeachment over alleged bias after he disregarded a court ruling that declared Azimio as the majority in Parliament. Led by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Azimio accused the Speaker of favouring Kenya Kwanza in parliamentary proceedings. Last Tuesday, Junet led Azimio in denouncing their minority status and insisted that they would go by the court's verdict. They proceeded to take seats reserved for the majority side. Wetang'ula maintained the status quo in the House forcing Azimio members to storm out in protest. The opposition leaders said they were considering a number of options, including instituting impeachment proceedings against Wetangula. Junet accused the Speaker of making contradicting rulings regarding party membership. "The speaker has made a ruling on majority and minority; the courts categorically said majority is decided by the sovereign will of the people. It is only in Kenya that the majority is decided by defections," he said. However, some MPs have come to his defence, claiming that there was an attempt to defame him.

Wetang'ula woes deepen as censure motion against him is filed

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Wetang'ula woes deepen as censure motion against him is filed

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