Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Mokaya on Wednesday came out to defend National Assembly Moses Wetangula after Starehe MP Amos Mwago called for the latter’s resignation over questions on his neutrality with regards to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment saga.
In a letter to Mwago, Mokaya who is affiliated to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) hit out at his Starehe counterpart terming his allegations as ignorant and anchored in failure to appreciate the constitutional underpinning of the position of a Speaker of Parliament.
“The Speaker has freedom to express his opinion and give views on matters of public interest and the exercise of this right cannot be negated. To argue that the Speaker should never give his views on any matter of public interest is indeed a blatant violation of his freedom of expression and is tantamount to cajoling people into acquiescence,” MP Mokaya argued.
Mokaya dismissed the grounds cited by Mwago for the resignation of the Speaker as baseless describing them as bordering on a breach of parliamentary privilege.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula during Parliamentary proceedings
In his letter, Mokaya claimed Mwago’s arguments on the workings of the two arms of government is skewed and misguided.
He further alleged the Starehe MP’s failure to attend parliament proceedings as a blatant portrayal of his ignorance.
“It is noteworthy that this is understandable, as you are never present in the House. Therefore, you may prefer restraining yourself from commenting on the nature of legislation passed by the House, when you have no idea on law-making,” read the letter by MP Mokaya.
“Further, please note the prowess of the Speaker as an astute long-serving legislator, a seasoned politician, a distinguished legal practitioner, an unmatched great leader; an expert of constitutional law and parliamentary practice; and a one in a kind leader with rich experience on the workings of the government having served both in the Executive and Legislature for many years.”
Mokaya further argued Article 122 of the Constitution provides that on any question proposed in the House for decision, the Speaker has no vote and as such he is non-partisan.
MP Mwago had written Monday, September 30 to Parliament demanding the immediate resignation of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula citing his remarks made on Sunday.
Mwago claimed that Wetangula had shown open bias and had appeared to throw his weight behind Gachagua’s impeachment. On Sunday 29 September, Wetang’ula speaking at Wamunyu Catholic Church in Machakos County stated he supported Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s ouster motion.
“If there is anyone who wants to disrupt the peace of the nation, they should be removed because we want peace for everybody,” he asserted.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse would subsequently table a motion aimed at impeaching Deputy President Rigathi Gachgua on Tuesday, October 1.
A total of 291 MPs appended their signatures to the motion which was subsequently allowed by Wetangula.
DP Rigathi Gachagua during the launch of the second Information Systems at KICC on September 2, 2024.
DPPS
