The resumption of the National Assembly’s sittings on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, after a long December recess, was anything but smooth. A fierce clash erupted among Members of Parliament over the leadership of the House following a High Court ruling that nullified Speaker Moses Wetangula’s 2022 decision, which declared Kenya Kwanza as the Majority coalition.
The court’s verdict, delivered by Justices John Chigiti, Lawrence Mugambi, and Jairus Ngaah, found that Wetang’ula acted unconstitutionally by assigning defectors from Azimio la Umoja to Kenya Kwanza without clear evidence of a coalition agreement. The ruling sent shockwaves through Parliament, as Azimio lawmakers demanded an immediate restructuring of House leadership.
However, Speaker Wetang’ula remained firm, dismissing any changes and maintaining the Kenya Kwanza coalition’s majority status, arguing that the court did not explicitly determine which coalition had the majority. According to Wetang’ula, the status quo remained, with Kenya Kwanza holding 165 seats against Azimio’s 154. He also directed that an appeal be filed against the court ruling.
Tensions escalated as furious Azimio MPs staged a dramatic walkout in protest, led by prominent legislators such as Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. Addressing the press outside Parliament, the opposition MPs condemned Wetang’ula’s decision, accusing him of undermining judicial authority. They hinted at drastic measures, including a motion to impeach the Speaker.
Amid the political turmoil, Parliament was also set to handle crucial legislative matters. The House Business Committee, chaired by the Speaker, was due for reconstitution, alongside 17 other committees. Additionally, key bills such as the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (2023) and the Gambling Control Bill (2023) were scheduled for consideration.
In the Senate, similar reconstitutions were expected for committees like the Senate Business Committee, County Public Accounts Committee, and Delegated Legislation Committee. The Senate was also preparing to approve its session’s draft calendar.
Despite these pressing legislative matters, the showdown over House leadership overshadowed proceedings. The looming appeal against the court ruling and the opposition’s impeachment threats set the stage for further political battles in Parliament. As the legislative year unfolds, the unresolved majority dispute is likely to shape Kenya’s political landscape in the coming months.
