As Parliament resumes, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition to assert their position as the majority following a recent High Court ruling. The court’s decision declared that President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition is not the majority in the National Assembly, setting the stage for a significant political shift.
The ruling was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justices John Chigiti, Lawrence Mugambi, and Jairus Ngaah. The judges held that Kenya Kwanza cannot claim seniority in the House, effectively challenging the coalition’s dominance in parliamentary affairs.
Speaking at a political rally in Malindi on Sunday, Kalonzo emphasized that the court’s pronouncement must be respected and implemented immediately. He urged Azimio lawmakers to occupy the majority side in Parliament when sessions resume on Tuesday.
“On Tuesday, Azimio’s leadership in Parliament should sit on the majority side because the court has pronounced itself. Azimio is the majority in Parliament,” he stated.
Beyond the parliamentary power struggle, Kalonzo signaled his intention to launch a broader political campaign aimed at unseating President Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election. He pointed to growing dissatisfaction with Ruto’s leadership, citing recent public reactions as evidence of declining popularity.
“You can see how Ruto is very unpopular. The other day, he was heckled in Isiolo, and then he claimed that I sent people to disrupt him,” Kalonzo remarked, referring to a hostile reception Ruto received in Isiolo on Friday.
The court’s ruling has far-reaching implications for Parliament’s leadership structure, raising concerns about the legitimacy of decisions previously made under Kenya Kwanza’s assumed majority status. This could lead to a political realignment within the House, affecting key legislative processes.
Additionally, the judges ruled that National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s dual role as Speaker and leader of Ford Kenya was unconstitutional. They asserted that Wetangula should have relinquished his position as party leader upon assuming the Speakership.
“The dual role is unlawful and unconstitutional. Once he became Speaker of the National Assembly, he ceased to be the leader of Ford Kenya party,” the court declared.
However, Wetangula swiftly dismissed the ruling, arguing that it did not explicitly require him to step down from either role. He labeled the court’s observations as “obiter dictum”—legal remarks that are non-binding and without practical effect.
“I want to assure the nation and the Ford Kenya fraternity that there is absolutely no cause for alarm. What the court did was make comments that are non-binding and have no consequential effect,” he stated.
As Parliament reconvenes, all eyes will be on the Azimio coalition’s next move and the potential ripple effects on Kenya’s political landscape.
