Speaker Wetang’ula Tested As National Assembly Reacts To His Censure Motion
The National Assembly has rejected an attempt to begin a censure motion against Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula.
Clerk Samuel Njoroge stated the reasons for the petition’s dismissal, stating that the House can only discuss the Speaker’s conduct if a substantive resolution is introduced by a sitting Member of Parliament.
“We have perused the Constitution, the Petition to Parliament (Procedure) Act, 2012, and the National Assembly Standing Orders and note that Standing Order 87(1) provides that the conduct of the Speaker can only be discussed through a substantive motion with at least three days’ notice,” the letter stated.
Parliament’s response will come as a blow to Laban Omusundi, executive director of the Grassroot Civilian Oversight initiative, who wanted Wetang’ula censured for a variety of reasons.
Only an MP can file a censure motion against Speaker Wetang’ula: @NAssemblyKE Clerk Samuel Njoroge advises the petitioner pic.twitter.com/D2HJoq8GAO
— Stephen Mutoro (@smutoro) February 17, 2025
The petitioners claimed that Wetang’ula participated in activities that jeopardized the impartiality and independence expected of a Speaker of the National Assembly.
In their appeal, they noted Wetang’ula’s remarks made during President William Ruto’s trip to Western Kenya.
At the time, the Speaker chastised Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for challenging Ruto’s first incentive payments to sugarcane farmers while supporting the President’s decision.
“He (Wetang’ula) uncharacteristically assured the President that the Western region was behind his administration, reiterated that the region was Ruto’s last line of defence, and the frontier of defence against political acrimony from his rivals,” the petitioners argued.
However, the Clerk of the National Assembly claimed that the claims were inadmissible since only an aggrieved Member of Parliament may query the Speaker’s actions.
“The letter underscores the procedural barriers that shield the Speaker from direct censure by the public, reinforcing the legislative requirement that only MPs can initiate such a debate within the House,” a statement from Parliament read.
Wetang’ula has faced widespread criticism, even from members of the National Assembly.
On Wednesday, February 12, the Speaker sparked controversy by defying a High Court order and declaring that Kenya Kwanza maintains the majority coalition and Azimio the minority.
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While addressing Parliament on Wednesday, February 12, the Speaker cited many reasons why he believed the High Court decision was erroneous, while stating that the parliamentary leadership will remain intact.
His decision risks causing a schism in the National Assembly, with Azimio-aligned Members of Parliament vowing to oppose the move and demand that the court’s first finding be respected.
The Azimio Coalition leaders, led by Junet Mohamed, the current Minority Leader, said that their members will withdraw from all-powerful committees.
This includes the House Business group (HBC), a critical group of the National Assembly entrusted with organizing and overseeing the legislative agenda.
Speaker Wetang’ula Tested As National Assembly Reacts To His Censure Motion
