The Kenyan National Assembly has halted an attempt to initiate a censure motion against Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, effectively stopping any immediate impeachment proceedings.
The move came after the Grassroot Oversight Initiative (GOI), a Nakuru-based activist group, filed a petition urging Members of Parliament to challenge Wetang’ula’s conduct, citing allegations of bias and partiality in his role as Speaker.
The National Assembly Clerk, Samuel Njoroge, dismissed the petition, stating that parliamentary rules do not permit external groups or the public to directly challenge the Speaker’s actions.
In a letter dated February 7, 2025, Njoroge referenced Standing Order 87(1), which stipulates that the conduct of the Speaker can only be discussed through a substantive motion tabled by MPs with at least three days’ notice. This procedural requirement effectively bars outside entities, such as the GOI, from initiating such motions, placing the responsibility solely on parliamentarians.
The petition, spearheaded by activist Laban Omusundi, accused Wetang’ula of compromising the independence of Parliament by aligning himself too closely with the Executive. Specific grievances included his alleged support for the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in September 2024, where he was accused of expressing approval before the motion was formally tabled, thus breaching parliamentary impartiality rules.
Additionally, Omusundi criticized Wetang’ula’s public statements during President William Ruto’s tour of Western Kenya in January 2025, where the Speaker reportedly positioned himself as a political ally of the President, undermining the neutrality expected of his office.
The decision to block the censure motion has sparked varied reactions. Supporters of Wetang’ula, particularly MPs from Western Kenya, have rallied behind him, framing the petition as a targeted attack on his reputation.
They argue that such challenges are politically motivated and lack merit, emphasizing Wetang’ula’s role as a unifying figure in Parliament. Critics, however, see the dismissal as evidence of systemic flaws in parliamentary accountability, arguing that the rules shield the Speaker from legitimate scrutiny and hinder public participation in governance.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions in the National Assembly, particularly following a High Court ruling that declared Wetang’ula’s dual role as Speaker and Ford Kenya party leader unconstitutional.
The opposition Azimio coalition has also threatened impeachment proceedings over Wetang’ula’s handling of the majority-minority party dispute, further highlighting the contentious nature of his tenure. While the GOI’s petition has been stopped, the broader debate over Wetang’ula’s impartiality and the mechanisms for holding parliamentary leaders accountable continues to simmer.