NAIROBI, Kenya, May 3 – Azimio La Umoja One Kenya lawmakers have today stormed out of the National Assembly sitting on what a section of them termed as dictatorship.
The legislators who hail from the Raila Odinga led coalition walked out following a heated session on a statement by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi over delayed communication and ruling over the removal of Sabina Chege as minority whip.
The Azimio MPs were provoked to walk out after Speaker Moses Wetangula directed Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi to leave the proceedings after being disorderly.
Atandi hesitantly left the remainder of the proceeding escorted by the sergeant at arms which prompted the Azimio MPs to storm out in solidarity.
“Sabina Chege must leave you cant be in UDA and still want to remain stuck on that seat.How will you whip us yet you are in Azimio.You must get out that of that sit,where is democracy in this nation,”said Likoni MP Mishi Mboko as she stormed out.
The National Assembly plenary turned into a shouting match during the statement by Wandayi lamenting over delayed ruling on the removal of Chege a month after he made the communication to the Speaker.
“Its now a month since we made communication on removal of Sabina. Our side is incapacitated since we are having a gap in our leadership. If we cant get a mere communication that we made, what is the point of continuing with business. Lets pack and go home,” said the Minority Leader.
Wandayi decried that the Speaker Wetangula had taken side on the matter which explains the delayed ruling to remove Chege as minority whip and subsequently replace her.
“Minority Coalition deserve respect and its not up to the Speaker to decide who will be the Majority or Minority Whip in this house,” he said.
Speaker Wetangula however intervened on the matter saying he had not intentionally refused to give ruling on the removal of Chege mentioning that he is slated to communicate tomorrow before the house goes on recess.
“The Speaker will not be part of parochial issues and coalition politics.I will deliver the ruling tomorrow,you will get the contents and the outcome,”the Speaker said.
This comes amidst intensified wrangles between two faction within Jubilee Party on who will grab the heart and soul of the former ruling coalition.
Chege removal has been prompted by her allegiance to the EALA MP Kanini Kega faction within Jubilee Party that has shown dalliance to President William Ruto’s administration.
The Azimio Coalition which considers Jubilee Party as one of their affiliate party wants Chege replaced by a lawmaker who has is loyal to the Odinga-led coalition.
