Members of Kenya’s National Assembly engaged in a near-fight on Thursday evening, October 6, over which party has the majority in the legislature.
The decision by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to declare the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition as having the majority as against the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition, triggered the confusion.
His decision to add 14 MPs who contest the last polls under the Azimio umbrella but switched sides to Kenya Kwanza after the August 9 polls, was behind the disagreement that nearly turned physical.
After reading a ruling on the status of both coalitions, the Speaker concluded: “I am therefore persuaded that the 14 members and their parties are part of Kenya Kwanza which brings their membership to 179 members and Azimio 157. This indicates that Kenya Kwanza is the Majority party and Azimio minority.”
Videos showed one MP at a point trying to take the mace whiles at another point the Speaker was being heckled as he made his way out of the chamber after delivering his ruling.
The National Assembly is due to vet ministerial nominees of President William Ruto, and the ruling was widely expected given that it will determine how smooth or otherwise the process will go.
Watch a video of the scuffles below:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY:
Kenya Kwanza, Azimio Fight in Parliament after Speaker Moses Wetangula declares Kenya Kwanza as the majority. ^NK#LookUPTV https://t.co/JqmU4kWyIZ pic.twitter.com/jSUUMUiwbg
— LOOK UP TV (@lookuptv) October 6, 2022