NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 12 – National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has upheld Kenya Kwanza Alliance as the majority coalition in the National Assembly in a fresh declaration following the High Court decision nullyfying his initial declaration.

In his ruling on the implications of the court decision on House proceedings, the Speaker cited post-election agreements filed with the Registrar of Political Parties as a key factor in determining the majority status.

He referenced coalition agreements from the Registrar, which indicated that 14 MPs from five political parties had exited Azimio La Umoja, thereby denying the opposition coalition the majority status it sought.

“Arising from the foregoing, the Kenya Kwanza Coalition is the Majority Party, and the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party is the Minority Party in the House,” Wetangula ruled.

A letter from the Registrar of Political Parties confirmed that the formal exit from Azimio by People’s Liberation Party, Maendeleo Chap Chap Party, Devolution Empowerment Party, United Democratic Movement and the Pamoja African Alliance.

Documents from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties show that Azimio, which was registered in April 2022, comprises 21 parties.

ORPP listed Azimio constituent parties to include Jubilee, ODM, Wiper Democratic Movement, Kanu, National Rainbow Coalition, Muungano Party, and Democratic Action Party.

Also on the list are the Democratic Action Party Kenya, United Party of Independent Alliance, United Progressive Alliance, Kenya Union Party, United Democratic Party, Movement for Democracy and Growth, Kenya Reformed Party, and Chama Cha Uzalendo.

On the other hand, Kenya Kwanza was registered on June 3, 2022, and is made up of 11 political parties, including UDA, Amani National Congress, Forum for Restoration of Democracy Kenya, Chama Cha Kazi, Communist Party, and Farmers Party.

“It is notable that the numbers relating to the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party are tinged by a slight element of doubt with respect to the membership of the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG). You will recall the express sentiments made by the sole member and party leader of MDG yesterday in the House, dissociating both himself and the party from Azimio,” Speaker Wetangula remarked.

He disclosed that the High Court’s decision had caused confusion but insisted that the numbers in Parliament remained unchanged.

“I have read the judgment, and it has been explained to me at length by our able legal team. The matter is related to a mixed set of prayers. I have instructed that an appeal be launched against the judgment,” Wetangula noted.

His decision did not sit well with opposition MPs from the Azimio coalition, led by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, who rejected the ruling and vowed to take further action.

“As Azimio, we respectfully disagree with your communication… As Azimio, we are going to take further action,” Odhiambo said.

Minutes later, a section of Azimio MPs stormed out of the House proceedings as a sign of revolt following the Speaker’s ruling.