National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has declined Azimio’s decision to remove Sabina Chege as the Deputy Minority Whip.
Wetangula stated that while Standing Orders require Sabina Chege to be removed and replaced immediately, with the exercises taking place simultaneously, Jubilee and Azimio La Umoja only demanded Sabina Chege’s removal without listing her successor.
He directed Jubilee to get its house in order before the matter could be resolved.
Jubilee and the Minority side were also given 30 days to resolve the issue of removing Sabina Chege.
“The communication received from the Minority Party on the decision to oust Sabina Chege is incomplete and therefore does not comply with the requirements of Standing Order 20(A) of the National Assembly,” he underlined.
Wetangula added that the Jubilee Party had met the criteria for recognition as a parliamentary party, but he would not use such a provision due to confusion over its leadership structure.
Wetangula, however, ruled that Azimio was fully entitled to discipline its members, but it had to follow the procedures outlined in the Standing Orders.
“By the time the house resumes from recess, it is my expectation that my office shall be in receipt of the communication from the minority side replacing its minority whip if they so wish,” he said.
He also agreed with Opiyo Wandayi, minority leader of the National Assembly, that a Speaker should not declare how a party can discipline its members, but rather rule on the matter.
“In the case of party leadership in the house, the Speaker dictates what is communicated by party officials and the status of the party (Jubilee’s) leadership is lingering,” he added, indicating that other constitutional bodies outside Parliament, such as the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties are mandated to handle such grievances.
“The Speaker cannot be called to mediate or act as an arbitrator in such matters,” he added.
