Azimio coalition Members of Parliament (MPs) led by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo have staged a dramatic walkout from the National Assembly after Speaker Moses Wetangula ruled to maintain Kenya Kwanza as the majority side, despite a recent High Court judgment.

The confrontation, which took place on February 12, 2025, began earlier in the session when Azimio MPs, led by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, occupied the majority side of the house, citing last week’s High Court ruling that had nullified Wetangula’s previous declaration of Kenya Kwanza as the majority party.

In his ruling, Wetangula argued that while the High Court had invalidated his earlier declaration, it hadn’t specifically designated which coalition held the majority.

“The High Court judgment did not designate which side was the majority and the minority but only annulled my earlier declaration,” he stated.

The Speaker maintained that the House leadership would remain unchanged, with Kimani Ichung’wah continuing as Majority Leader and Junet Mohammed as Minority Leader.

He cited a lack of formal communication from Azimio regarding any leadership changes.

“I have not received communication from the Azimio One Kenya Coalition party replacing the Suna East MP, the Kathiani MP, the Suba North MP, and the Member for Embakasi West as preferred leadership in the house,” Wetangula explained.

Being bias

The ruling then prompted a heated response from Millie Odhiambo, who accused the Speaker of bias.

“Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you that today you are stepping on my mother’s toe. I will respectfully tell you that I do not agree with you, as a strong man, that you are stepping on my mother’s toe. As Azimio, we are going to take further action. I respectfully tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I note your communication,” she declared.

Speaker’s response

In response, Wetangula dismissed Odhiambo’s accusations of unfairness in his ruling.

“Millie Odhiambo, that is how the law works; it is not necessarily popular, but it is generally the law. When you obey the law, sometimes you may step on somebody, sometimes you may not. But the law remains the law,” he asserted.

Following Wetangula’s statement, Millie signalled to other MPs to walk out in protest, leaving Speaker Wetangula still addressing the parliamentarians.

Some of the Azimio MPs who walked out included National Assembly Minority Leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Saboti MP Caleb Hamisi, and Bumula MP Jack Wanami Wamboka.