Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo has ignited a heated political showdown in the National Assembly by daring Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to resign following a recent High Court ruling that nullified his decision declaring Kenya Kwanza as the majority in Parliament.
Her bold demand came during a chaotic parliamentary session on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, where opposition MPs heckled and shouted down ruling party legislators, signaling deep divisions within the House.
Why Millie Odhiambo Wants Wetang’ula to Step Down
Odhiambo’s call for resignation stems from a ruling by a three-judge bench that found Wetang’ula’s majority declaration unlawful. The judgment also questioned his neutrality, considering he is the Party Leader of Ford Kenya, a Kenya Kwanza affiliate.
“Mr. Speaker, in light of the court ruling, you have no choice but to vacate the seat and allow Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei to take over,” Odhiambo stated, riding on a standing order.
In an unprecedented move, she went further to restructure the leadership of the House, unilaterally declaring Junet Mohamed as the Majority Leader and Robert Mbui as the Deputy Majority Leader under the Azimio Coalition.
Wetang’ula Responds: ‘I Am Not Going Anywhere’
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, however, remained unfazed, delivering a firm and lengthy response, arguing that the court ruling does not require him to resign.
“I have read that judgment with a toothcomb, and nowhere does it require me to resign,” he asserted.
Wetang’ula reminded MPs that only Parliament has the authority to remove a Speaker through a formal motion and a vote.
“Neither the court nor any other authority outside this Chamber can make a declaration that affects the conduct of business here except yourselves, by voting and the Speaker giving you rulings.”
Drawing parallels from the 10th Parliament, he recalled a motion brought by MP Patrick Musimba seeking the removal of then-Speaker Justin Muturi. Muturi chaired the session, allowed the motion to proceed, and ultimately survived the vote.
“I will listen to you and I assure you I will give you a fair finding. It is like going to court and telling a judge that because a lawyer appearing before him was his classmate, he will not be fair. That has no standing in law or fact,” Wetang’ula maintained.
Opposition Defies Speaker: Junet Mohamed Declares Himself Majority Leader
As tensions escalated, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed—a key figure in the Azimio Coalition—defied Wetang’ula’s ruling and occupied the Majority Leader’s seat.
“This afternoon, I just switched seats and took over as the Majority Leader,” he boldly declared.
Junet insisted that he would remain in the position until the legal process is exhausted.
A Divided Parliament: What Happens Next?
The court ruling, coupled with Wetang’ula’s refusal to step down, has left Parliament deeply divided. With Azimio claiming majority status, Kenya Kwanza now faces an uncertain legislative future.
The Speaker’s stance indicates that any formal removal attempt would require a structured parliamentary motion and vote, which remains a steep challenge given the numbers in the House.
As tensions continue to mount, the focus shifts to:
- Whether opposition MPs will push for an official motion against Wetang’ula.
- How the ruling party will respond to the new political alignment within Parliament.
- Whether the Executive will intervene to stabilize the situation.
For now, Wetang’ula remains in office, but the battle for parliamentary control is far from over.
