The political landscape in Kenya is witnessing fresh turbulence following a High Court ruling that declared National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s leadership of Ford Kenya unconstitutional. The ruling has sparked a heated debate, with Ford Kenya Secretary General John Chikati vowing to appeal the decision, citing an orchestrated attempt to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The court’s ruling, delivered on Friday by a three-judge bench comprising Justices John Chigiti, Lawrence Mugambi, and Jairus Ngaa, found that Wetangula’s position as Ford Kenya leader compromised his impartiality as Speaker of the National Assembly. “Once he became Speaker of the National Assembly, he ceased to be the leader of Ford Kenya,” the court stated. The decision raises critical constitutional and political questions, particularly regarding the composition of the parliamentary majority.
Chikati, speaking to The Star on Sunday, decried the ruling as a politically motivated attempt to diminish Ford Kenya’s influence and disrupt the Kenya Kwanza coalition. “Whichever way, whatever motive is behind these moves, the whole idea is to weaken Ford Kenya using the legal system after the political route failed,” he stated. According to him, the removal of Wetang’ula as party leader is a calculated move to dismantle the party’s strength ahead of the next general election.
The ruling also challenges Wetang’ula’s earlier determination that Kenya Kwanza holds the parliamentary majority with 179 members, while Azimio la Umoja, with 157 members, remains the minority. Constitutional lawyer Bobby Mkangi asserts that the court’s decision opens the door for Azimio to assume the majority role, potentially altering the balance of power in Parliament. “As it is, the current arrangement is wrong, unconstitutional, and thus a nullity,” Mkangi emphasized.
This development has triggered calls for Wetangula to either relinquish his position as Speaker or step down as Ford Kenya leader. Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua insisted, “He should choose whether to be Speaker or leader of Ford Kenya.” Lawyer Nelson Havi echoed similar sentiments, urging Parliament to elect a new, independent Speaker without delay.
Despite the legal setback, Ford Kenya remains resolute in its stance, with Chikati affirming that an appeal is on the horizon. “The Speaker’s role is confined to Parliament. There is no conflict at all,” he argued, maintaining that the court ruling misinterprets the constitutional provisions regarding elected positions.
As the legal battle unfolds, the ruling’s implications on parliamentary leadership and coalition dynamics remain a subject of keen national interest. Should the appeal fail, the reconfiguration of majority and minority positions in the National Assembly could significantly impact legislative processes leading up to the 2027 elections.
