President William Ruto’s legislative agenda faces potential disruption as lawmakers allied with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga push to claim the majority roles in Parliament.
Tensions flared during the National Assembly’s first sitting on Tuesday when Azimio-affiliated MPs occupied seats designated for the majority side, citing a recent three-judge bench ruling.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who had previously ruled in 2022 that Kenya Kwanza held the majority with 179 MPs against Azimio’s 157, found himself under pressure. Lawmakers from the opposition demanded a review of his decision, forcing him to allow a debate on the matter before issuing a formal ruling.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed insisted that the court’s verdict must be implemented unless formally appealed. “There are only two options—obey or appeal. The ruling must be respected,” he asserted.
If upheld, the ruling would reshape the composition of House committees, where Ruto’s allies currently hold key positions. These committees—including finance, security, health, ICT, education, and trade—were structured based on Wetang’ula’s earlier ruling. The decision could also affect nominations to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel and the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Azimio now claims the right to chair various departmental committees and take control of influential audit committees, such as the Public Accounts Committee and Public Investments Committee.
With no appeal yet filed, Ruto’s camp risks losing key parliamentary positions. The House Business Committee, which sets the legislative agenda, has already been affected by the standoff.
Azimio lawmakers, led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, argue that the court ruling automatically shifts leadership roles. “Once the decision is quashed, the leader of the minority becomes the majority leader by law,” Amollo stated.
Mbita North MP Millie Odhiambo has formally written to the Speaker, requesting the immediate appointment of Junet Mohamed as Majority Leader and herself as Majority Whip, escalating the political battle in Parliament.
