Court did not declare Azimio majority, UDA insists after Speaker's ruling

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has reaffirmed that the Kenya Kwanza Coalition retains its majority status in the National Assembly.

This comes a day after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula declared that President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance holds the majority with 165 members against Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition's 154.

Wetang'ula explained that the recent High Court ruling, which quashed his 2022 decision on House leadership, did not provide direction on the current majority or minority status.

Wetang'ula told the House that information from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, in a letter dated February 11, confirmed that Azimio's membership had diminished after five splinter parties exited and others signed post-election pacts with Kenya Kwanza.

The splinter parties include the People's Liberation Party (formerly National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya), Maendeleo Chap Chap, Devolution Empowerment Party, United Democratic Movement, and Pamoja African Alliance.

"The Registrar's records show that Kenya Kwanza remains the majority coalition with 165 members, while Azimio has 154," said Wetang'ula.

Following the court's decision, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar dismissed reports suggesting the ruling declared Azimio the majority coalition.

"The court ruled on the Speaker's communication but did not declare Azimio the majority party," said Omar.

"The law requires the Registrar's records to guide such determinations, and those records confirm Kenya Kwanza's majority."

Omar reiterated UDA's commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law, condemning what he called misinformation about the court's decision.

Wetang'ula also directed that an appeal be filed to challenge the High Court's decision.