Siaya Governor James Orengo has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) allied with the Azimio la Umoja coalition to take charge and demand their rightful place in the National Assembly. This follows a landmark High Court ruling on February 7, 2025, which overturned a 2022 decision by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula that had declared President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition the majority party.
Speaking on Saturday during the burial of Richard Ochieng’ Oloo, father to city lawyer Willis Otieno, Orengo emphasized that the court’s ruling was a clear indication that the 2022 general election results were flawed. He argued that it was illogical for Azimio to have secured a parliamentary majority while its presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, lost the election.
“What the High Court said is a confirmation that the election results announced in the last elections were not correct. That is the confirmation. Raila’s party and coalition could not have gotten the majority of seats and lost the presidential elections,” Orengo stated.
The veteran Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader urged Azimio MPs, particularly those from his ODM party, to claim the majority position in parliament without hesitation. He warned against any negotiations with Kenya Kwanza leaders, insisting that the court had reaffirmed their rightful standing.
“I am asking my party ODM, don’t lose the court declaration that Azimio is the majority in parliament. Do not leave it. Instead of sitting at the table with whoever is in power, the court is giving you what belongs to you,” Orengo declared.
His sentiments were echoed by Safina Party leader Jimmy Wanjigi, who noted that the court ruling gave Azimio a strategic advantage in the legislative house. Wanjigi suggested that with their numerical strength, Azimio MPs could initiate an impeachment motion against President Ruto by March 2025. He warned that failure to do so would lead to a new political strategy being devised.
“The ODM party and by extension Azimio has gotten a golden opportunity to impeach Ruto by March 2025. If they fail, a new game plan shall be hatched,” Wanjigi stated.
Also present at the burial was Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who used the occasion to rally the Luo community behind Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s anticipated 2027 presidential bid.
The High Court’s decision has undoubtedly set the stage for a fierce political battle in parliament, with Azimio leaders now under pressure to assert their newfound majority status. The coming weeks will be crucial as the coalition decides its next course of action in response to the ruling.
