In a dramatic display of political solidarity, Western MPs have rallied in support of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, vehemently opposing a plot within the opposition ranks aimed at ousting him.
The move to remove Wetangula has sparked heated debates, with both sides of the political divide accusing each other of undermining the integrity of the parliamentary institution.
The controversy first emerged when a faction of opposition MPs accused Wetangula of bias, claiming that his recent rulings on key legislative matters were partisan.
They argued that his leadership had hindered the passage of crucial opposition-backed bills, leading to frustration within their ranks. However, supporters of the Speaker have dismissed these allegations as baseless, insisting that Wetangula’s rulings were in line with parliamentary procedures and aimed at maintaining fairness and order in the House.
Speaking at a press briefing, Beatrice Elachi, (Dagoretti North)a staunch ally of Wetangula, expressed strong opposition to the plot, describing it as an attack on the institution of Parliament itself.
“This is not just about Speaker Wetangula. This is about the rule of law and the integrity of our parliamentary system,”Elachi said.
“We cannot allow a few individuals to hijack the leadership of the House for their own political gains. Moses Wetangula has been nothing short of fair and impartial in his leadership.”
The Speaker, has been the subject of intense political scrutiny since taking office, with some opposition MPs accusing him of being too aligned with the ruling party. However, Wetangula has consistently defended his actions, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament. “My duty is to uphold the Constitution and the rules of the House,” Wetangula said during a recent address. “I have acted with impartiality and fairness in all matters before this House, and I will continue to do so.”
The plot has fuelled verbal sparrings, with both sides intensifying their rhetoric. Junet Muhamed an opposition legislator and one of the vocal critics of the Speaker, accused Wetangula of failing to maintain neutrality.
“We have witnessed time and time again how the Speaker has sided with the government, stifling important debates and blocking crucial bills,” Junet argued.
“This is not the kind of leadership we need in Parliament. The Speaker’s actions have damaged the credibility of this institution.”
However, Wetangula’s supporters have rallied in defense of his leadership.Mp Mary Emase, a member of the ruling coalition, condemned the opposition’s attempts to undermine the Speaker’s position, calling the move a political maneuver aimed at weakening Parliament’s effectiveness.
“It’s clear that this is not about fairness or leadership,”Emase said. “It’s about political opportunism. Speaker Wetangula has done nothing wrong. He has been an exemplary leader, ensuring that Parliament runs smoothly, despite the challenges.”
The Speaker’s defenders also pointed to his handling of contentious debates and his ability to maintain order in the House as proof of his impartiality.
“In any institution, especially one as diverse as Parliament, there will always be disagreements. But Speaker Wetangula has done his best to ensure that all voices are heard, and that parliamentary procedures are followed,” John Walukhe, a fellow supporter of Wetangula.
“It’s disappointing that some are trying to politicize this issue. The Speaker is doing his job, and he deserves our support.”
Amid the rising tensions, political analysts have weighed in on the situation, suggesting that the plot to remove Wetangula is more about internal power struggles than genuine concerns over his leadership.
“What we are seeing here is a clash of political egos,” said political analyst Grace Mwangi. “Some members of the opposition see Wetangula as a roadblock to their legislative agenda, while others are simply using this issue to further their own political ambitions.”
Political insiders have also noted that the timing of the plot coincides with key debates on the national budget and other crucial legislation. With both the government and opposition eager to push through their respective agendas, some observers believe that the Speaker’s impartiality has made him a target for those seeking to gain an upper hand in the legislative process.
“The Speaker is a critical figure in any parliamentary system, and it’s not surprising that some factions would want to remove him if they feel he’s blocking their agenda,” Mwangi added. “However, this could backfire. If the opposition succeeds in removing Wetangula, it could further destabilize the House and lead to even greater political chaos.”
As the debate intensifies, Wetangula’s supporters have vowed to stand firm in defense of his leadership. “We will not allow this to see light of the day.”
