President William Ruto’s legislative agenda is on shaky ground after Azimio la Umoja MPs asserted their claim to majority status in the National Assembly, following a court ruling that could alter parliamentary dynamics.
The Tuesday sitting of Parliament was marked by confusion as Azimio-affiliated lawmakers occupied seats meant for the majority side, citing a recent ruling by a three-judge bench that recognized their numerical advantage. This unexpected move put Speaker Moses Wetang’ula in a difficult position, as some MPs called for his resignation over his 2022 decision that had declared Kenya Kwanza as the majority party.
In October 2022, Wetang’ula ruled that Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance had 179 MPs against Azimio’s 157, a decision that influenced committee compositions and leadership positions. However, with the new court ruling, the opposition now demands an immediate implementation of the verdict unless an appeal is filed.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed emphasized that the ruling was final and must be obeyed. “There is no third way to go about the court ruling by three judges. It is either obeyed or appealed. This ruling must be respected. It cannot be taken jokingly,” Junet stated.
The potential shift in parliamentary majority status could significantly impact the composition of critical House committees, including finance, budget, security, ICT, health, and agriculture. Many of these committees are currently chaired by Ruto allies, and if the ruling is upheld, Azimio will have the right to reclaim leadership roles in these influential committees.
The standoff also affected the House Business Committee, which controls the legislative agenda. Its composition is based on the parliamentary majority, meaning that any shift in power would have direct consequences on Ruto’s ability to push his policies through Parliament.
Further complications arise in the Parliamentary Service Commission, whose membership was determined by the Speaker’s earlier ruling. Without an appeal, Kenya Kwanza MPs risk losing key slots in this influential body.
Nominated MP Sabina Chege raised concerns about the looming uncertainty, questioning the legitimacy of committee leadership if the ruling is implemented. “The big question I am asking myself, who is going to be the chair of the committees based on the majority and minority?” she posed.
As tensions escalate, Azimio MPs have warned of a parliamentary crisis if the issue is not resolved swiftly. They insist that without an appeal, the ruling must be respected, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle that could redefine the balance of power in Parliament.
