The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Moses Wetang’ula has ruled that the Kenya Kwanza Coalition constitutes the Majority in the House, while the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party is the Minority Party.
This follows his determination that 14 MPs elected to the House under the United Democratic Movement (UDM), Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), Maendeleo Chap Chap Party(MCCP) and the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) parties who have expressely distanced themselves from Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, are part of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
“In my considered opinion, it would be imprudent to treat the 14 Members elected to the House under the United Democratic Movement (UDM), Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), Maendeleo Chap Chap Party (MCCP) and the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) as part of a coalition that they have expressly distanced both themselves and their parties from. I am therefore persuaded that the 14 members and their parties are part of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition”, read part of the Speaker’s Communication.
The Speaker says his decision has been informed by the solemn duty to facilitate the continuity of the Business of the House. He noted that without a clear guidance on the House leadership question, the House would be paralyzed. Through his much anticipated Communication to the House, Speaker Wetang’ula observed that with the additional 14 Members, the membership of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition stands at 179 Members, while that of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party stands at 157 Members.
From this ruling, the Leadership of the House now stands as follows:
a) The Leader of the Majority Party-The Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu Constituency)
b) The Deputy Leader of the Majority Party- The Hon. Owen Baya (Kilifi North Constituency)
(c) Majority Party Whip- The Hon. Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango Constituency)
(d) Deputy Majority Whip- The Hon. Naomi Jillo Waqo (Member for Marsabit County)
(e) The Leader of the Minority Party- The Hon. Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja Constituency)
(f) The Deputy Leader of the Minority Party- The Hon. Robert Mbui (Kathiani Constituency)
(g) Minority Party Whip-The Hon. Junet Mohamed (Suna East Constituency); and
(h) The Deputy Minority Whip- The Hon. Sabina Chege (Nominated MP)
This now paves the way for the composition of the House Business Committee; a crucial committee that determines the agenda of the House. The Speaker has since directed the Leader of the Majority Party, the Hon. Kimani Ichungwah, and the Leader of the Minority Party the Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, up to Tuesday, 11th October,2022 at 10.00am,to submit not more than four (4) names of Members each to his office for consideration by the House as part of the House Business Committee. The rest of the Membership is pre-determined in the Standing Orders by dint of positions they hold in the House.
With respect to the composition of the Committee on Selection (The Committee that nominates Members to serve in Committees), the Leader of the Majority Party, and the Leader of the Minority Party are to submit ten (10) Members and nine (9) Members, respectively.
Following this pronouncement, the Speaker has directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to take the necessary measures to facilitate the Leadership of the House that has been appointed, to move into their respective offices, and access all other entitlements relating to their offices as has been approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the Parliamentary Service Commission.
by Fox