Uriri Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita has defended National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi against criticism over their involvement in political activities, arguing that parliamentary speakers are entitled to express their political opinions outside Parliament as long as they remain impartial while presiding over House proceedings.

Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Nyamita said there was nothing unconstitutional or unusual about speakers participating in politics outside the chambers, noting that their neutrality is only required when conducting parliamentary business.

According to the legislator, speakers do not take part in debates or vote on matters before the House, making it possible for them to maintain impartiality during official proceedings while still holding political views in their personal capacity.

“I actually think that the speakers have a right to express their political position outside of Parliament, but they remain neutral when they’re on the floor of the House. On the floor of the House, in any case, the speakers do not have a vote, so they only preside over a debate on either side. So they don’t contribute on the floor of the House in any case,” Nyamita said.

Nyamita has further argued that the office of the Speaker is itself a product of a political process, making it unrealistic to expect those elected to completely detach themselves from politics.

The lawmaker has noted that Speaker Moses Wetang’ula was elected through a political process backed by the Kenya Kwanza coalition and therefore cannot be expected to cease being a political figure altogether.

“But we also know that the truth is the process of electing a speaker is political. So Moses Wetang’ula was a Kenya Kwanza speaker. He was elected by the Kenya Kwanza brigade,” he added.

Nyamita maintained that speakers seeking to retain their positions are naturally involved in political engagements, adding that similar practices exist in other democratic countries.

He dismissed criticism directed at Wetang’ula and Kingi as politically motivated, saying the debate had intensified because of the current political climate ahead of the next general election.

“So the moment he doesn’t, he’s also seeking to continue being a speaker. And this is not unique. I think even in other democracies, outside of the chambers, speakers have had the right to express their views on matters. So saying that they should be out of politics when they’re out of the House, it’s just a political statement, especially during this time.”

Nyamita emphasised that the public should distinguish between the speakers’ official duties inside Parliament and their activities outside the chambers.

“Because when they’re out, they are not arbiters of the public. But when they’re in the House, so I think Kenyans just need to be able to differentiate,” Nyamita remarked.

Vocal Africa petition

His remarks come following a ruling by the Milimani High Court issuing a conservatory order blocking National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi from participating in partisan politics pending the hearing and determination of the application filed against them.

Justice David Mburu, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, barred the two house speakers from endorsing any political candidate, campaigning for any political party or aligning with any political coalition while still holding their current offices.

Further, the order issued by Judge Mburu also temporarily restrains Wetang’ula and Kingi from using the authority that comes with their offices to promote and conduct organised partisan political campaigns.

“Pending the inter partes hearing of this application, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the 1st and the 2nd respondents (Wetang’ula and Kingi), while serving as the speaker of the National Assembly and the Senate, respectively, from using, invoking, relying upon or benefiting from the authority, prestige, dignity, influence or incidents of their constitutional offices in the organisation, promotion, endorsement, leadership or conduct of organised partisan political campaigns in support of or opposition to any political party, political coalition or political candidate,” Justice Mburu ordered.

The ruling came after a court petition seeking to ban the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and the Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from engaging in partisan political campaigning while in their constitutional offices at the Milimani Law Courts.

In the petition, advocate Ian Mutiso Mbotela, acting on behalf of Vocal Africa, claims that the two speakers have violated the Constitution and other laws by exploiting their offices, prestige and influence to advocate for the re-election of President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza coalition.