Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate, Edwin Sifuna, has called for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition to assume the majority side in the upper House, mirroring the situation in the National Assembly. His remarks come after Azimio reclaimed its position as the majority party in the National Assembly, following a recent court ruling.
On Tuesday, Azimio occupied the majority positions in the National Assembly after MPs resumed sittings from the long December recess. This session was marked by a fierce supremacy battle between the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the opposition, led by Raila Odinga’s Azimio faction. The move follows the February 7 High Court ruling, which reaffirmed that Azimio is the legitimate majority in the National Assembly.
While discussions continued on how to implement the ruling in the National Assembly, Sifuna argued that the same ruling should apply in the Senate. He pointed out that the Constitution does not explicitly outline how the majority side in the Senate is determined, suggesting that the designation should follow the precedent set in the National Assembly.
“Mr. Speaker, the Constitution is very elaborate. It defines Parliament, separates the roles of the Senate and the National Assembly, and specifies the matters each House can process. However, on the question of which party is the majority in the Senate, the Constitution remains silent,” Sifuna stated.
He further explained that it would be contradictory for Azimio to be recognized as the majority in the National Assembly while remaining the minority in the Senate. Such a situation, he argued, would create inconsistencies in party leadership communication, particularly given his role as Azimio’s Secretary-General.
“Hon. Speaker, will he write in the National Assembly as a member of the majority and then in the Senate as a member of the minority? These are the absurdities that would arise,” Sifuna added.
Following the August 9, 2022 elections, Kenya Kwanza secured 163 MPs out of 290 in the National Assembly and 24 senators, while Azimio had 180 MPs and 22 senators. However, after 14 MPs defected to Kenya Kwanza, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula declared Kenya Kwanza the majority, a decision overturned by the High Court on February 7.
The court ruled that Wetang’ula’s decision lacked legal backing, as there was no evidence of post-election agreements between the defecting MPs and Kenya Kwanza. The judgment, delivered by Justices John Chigiti, Jairus Ngaah, and Lawrence Mugambi, nullified Wetang’ula’s declaration and reinstated Azimio’s majority status.
Sifuna emphasized that Azimio would fully enforce the court order. Addressing Senate Majority Leader Boni Khalwale, Sifuna asserted, “Once the court has pronounced itself, Senator Khalwale, you will have to look for another seat. We will not allow people to conflate issues. If Azimio is the majority in the National Assembly, it follows that we are the majority in this House.”
The push for majority status in the Senate sets the stage for further political battles between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza, as the opposition seeks to solidify its influence in both Houses of Parliament.
