Azimio threaten to impeach Wetang'ula over 'wrong leadership'

The speaker failed to recognise the removal of Sabina Chege as the deputy minority whip.

In Summary
  • In a media address after a chaotic House session on Thursday afternoon, the Ugunja MP said the minority party had had enough of Wetang'ula.
  • Wetang'ula had in his refusal to ratify Chege's removal citing an active court case on the matter.
Azimio Members of Parliament in a briefing outside Parliament after some of their members were suspended for being disorderly inside the Chambers on June, 8, 2023.
Azimio Members of Parliament in a briefing outside Parliament after some of their members were suspended for being disorderly inside the Chambers on June, 8, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has threatened to file a motion of impeachment against Speaker Moses Wetang'ula by Tuesday next week.

In a media address after a chaotic House session on Thursday afternoon, the Ugunja MP said the minority party had had enough of Wetang'ula.

This was after Wetang'ula failed to recognise the removal of Sabina Chege as the deputy minority whip and threw out a number of Azimio lawmakers who protested the move. 

"Things cannot move in this manner in this House anymore. We have decided to bring a motion of impeachment against the Speaker of the National Assembly Honorable Moses Wetang'ula," he said.

The Ugunja MP said that the Assembly was under the wrong leadership which could affect its performance. 

"We are drafting the motion and it will be ready by say Tuesday next week."

Wetang'ula had in his refusal to ratify Chege's removal citing an active court case on the matter.

"Honorable members from the foregoing, my hands are tied with regard to the court order that has been brought to my attention," he said.

"Until and unless further information is provided, that this order has been varied or set aside, the court order effectively suspends the decision by the minority party on the replacement of Sabina Chege as the deputy minority whip."

Wandayi, however, rubbished the court order, saying it would not have arisen had the Speaker acted on the first letter notifying him of Chege's removal.

"We have chosen to come here and say enough is enough. We have had enough of Wetang'ula and his shenanigans in this house. This is a clear pattern," he added.

Wandayi filed a letter on Chege's removal in April. On May 4, the Speaker gave the minority MPs a period of 30 days to organise their house and decide whether they still wanted to pursue the changes. 

On May 30, Azimio kicked out Chege for shifting allegiance to Kenya Kwanza government.

She was replaced with Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje.

Following Mwenje's nomination, Azimio wrote to Wetang'ula seeking Chege's replacement ahead of the resumption of sittings in June.

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