Manyora explains why Wetang’ula has underperformed compared to past speakers
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 24, 2025Political analyst Herman Manyora has stated that National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has underperformed in his mandate compared to past speakers such as Kenneth Marende and Francis Ole Kaparo.
Speaking during an interview aired on his channel on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Manyora observed that both speakers of the two Houses have not lived up to expectations.
He noted that when one compares Wetangula to a figure like Marende, there is no match. The likes of Francis Ole Kaparo were remembered for their firm handling of the House, while the current leadership appears to bend towards pleasing the Executive.
According to him, some rulings made by the present speakers have been declared unconstitutional by the courts, yet no changes are made, showing that they are primarily focused on serving the executive’s interests.
“When you compare a person like Wetang’ula to somebody like Marende, there is no comparison. When you remember Order Order and Francis Ole Kaparo, then you see a speaker. When you see the current leadership, they are falling over to please the executive, making rulings that are outrageous; even after the courts ruled them out of order, they still don’t change. They are just out to do executive bidding,” Manyora stated.
Advice to Wetangu’la
Manyora urged leaders like Wetangula to reflect on how Marende managed Parliament during Mwai Kibaki’s tenure, when the president had far fewer MPs than the ODM side. Despite being elected on an ODM ticket, Marende steered the House with neutrality and professionalism.
He maintained the balance of power without favouring Raila Odinga or attempting to collapse Kibaki’s government, a stance that, according to Manyora, demonstrated rare impartiality.
“I always tell people like Wetangula to go back in history to see how Marende navigated the parliament when Kibaki had absolutely fewer MPs in parliament than ODM, and yet Marende had to navigate that parliament, and yet he was an ODM person; he had been elected on an ODM ticket. If Marende had wanted to collapse Kibaki’s government, he could have done it, but he did his job. Marende did what few would do, sticking to the role of a speaker, a neutral habitat, and he didn’t favour Raila.” Manyora added
He added that if Marende had been in Wetangula’s position, MPs defecting from one side to another would have risked losing their seats. In contrast, what taints Wetangula’s leadership, he said, is the constant rush to satisfy the executive, often acting with speed to implement its agenda without hesitation.