National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula’s first assignment is to puzzle the majority quest in the lower house of the bicameral parliament.
Last week, the two coalitions met their parliamentary members to strategies on the way forward as both houses are set to commence business this week. On 16 September, while Kenya Kwanza convened at Naivasha, Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya had a similar workshop at Stoni Athi, Machakos county. In all the meetings, both coalitions claimed the majority in the parliament bringing the controversial issue on who is the legitimate majority.
Speaking at the Naivasha retreat, President William Ruto was candid that Kenya Kwanza remains the majority regardless. “Our friends on the other side will choose the leaders of the minority because they are the minority. They just have to live with the reality that they’re the minority, let us not have an unnecessary contest as to which side is the majority.” Ruto argued.
On the other hand, Kalonzo Musyoka (WIPER) and Martha Karua (NARC-K) remain adamant that Azimio is legally the majority.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Azimio-OKA is legally and legitimately the majority coalition in the National Assembly. This is not a matter for determination by any individual or office, it is simple arithmetic. And so to settle this matter, and put the record straight once and for all, MPs belonging to Azimio-OKA have been properly advised to take up majority roles and responsibilities, in and out of the National Assembly chamber.” Kalonzo stated at the Azimio parliamentary group workshop.
While it is crystal-clear at the senate that Kenya Kwanza rules with the majority, things are not the same in the national assembly. However, Kenya Kwanza boasts by electing the speakers of the two houses with a big margin.
Constitutionally, the Azimio side bags a total of 159 MPs elected in its 11 political aligned parties against 144 of the UDA party thus giving it a direct win as the majority. However, the United Democratic Movement, Kenya Union Party and the Movement for Democracy and Growth who have since defected the Azimio coalition for Kenya Kwanza, gives the alliance a majority of 180 MPs against Azimio’s 155.
Ten out of the 12 independent MPs have also aligned themselves with Kenya Kwanza, boosting its numbers.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party agreement, that brought on board 26 political parties, bars any signatory from exiting 6 months to the General Election and 3 months after the General Election. If this agreement was to be enforced, then Azimio would have a slight majority in the House.
As it stands, both coalitions have elected their majority leaders and whips. On the Kenya Kwanza side, Kikuyu legislator Kimani Ichung’wah is majority leader, deputized by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya. South Mugirango’s Sylvanus Osoro and Marsabit’s Naomi Waqo will serve as majority whip and deputy majority whip consecutively.
In the Azimio side, Unguja lawmaker Opiyo Wandayi is the majority leader while Kathiani MP Robert Mbui is his deputy. The outspoken Junet Mohammed of Suna East is the majority whip with nominated MP Sabina Chege reserved to deputize him.
