National Assembly dismisses motion to remove Speaker Moses Wetang’ula
Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge confirmed that the Grassroot Oversight Initiative had sought to initiate a motion against Wetang’ula. However, the effort was thwarted on grounds that it did not adhere to parliamentary procedures.
The attempt to remove National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula from office has hit a dead end, as it emerged that the House dismissed the first bid to censure him.
In a letter dated February 7, 2025, Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge confirmed that the Grassroot Oversight Initiative had sought to initiate a motion against Wetang’ula. However, the effort was thwarted on grounds that it did not adhere to parliamentary procedures.
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The letter said, "We have read the Constitution, the Petition to Parliament (Procedure) Act, 2012, and the National Assembly Standing Orders. We note that Standing Order 87(1) says that the Speaker's behaviour can only be talked about in a substantive motion with at least three days' notice."
Njoroge further stressed that procedural barriers shield the Speaker from direct censure by external groups.
“The National Assembly rules do not permit a discussion on the Speaker’s conduct unless it is introduced as a substantive motion by a Member of Parliament,” he clarified. This effectively means that the removal of the Speaker can only be initiated by legislators, not the public.
The development comes amid mounting political tensions, as more than 35 Azimio MPs have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Wetang’ula’s leadership. The lawmakers have vowed to explore alternative means to remove him, either through an impeachment motion or legal action.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo spoke for the coalition and said that Wetang'ula had not followed a court ruling that erased his October 6, 2022, declaration of President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza coalition as the majority side in the House.
“The Speaker has demonstrated clear bias and disregard for the rule of law. We are determined to correct this injustice,” said Junet.
Suba North MP Millie echoed similar sentiments, stating, “If Parliament fails to hold him accountable, we will have no choice but to seek redress through the courts.”
Despite the court’s decision, Wetang’ula had maintained that Kenya Kwanza, with 165 MPs, remained the majority side, while Azimio had 154 MPs in the 349-member House.
"Arising from the foregoing, the Kenya Kwanza is the majority, and the Azimio is the minority. The leadership of the House remains unchanged," the speaker stated.
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