Senate drama as Azimio, Kenya Kwanza clash over majority status

Tensions erupted when Azimio-allied senators occupied the majority side, demanding their Kenya Kwanza colleagues move to the minority benches. Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale sparked further commotion after finding his seat occupied by Nominated Senator Betty Syengo, prompting him to appeal to Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi to restore his position.

Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni insisted that the Senate could not proceed with business until the Speaker clarified the implications of the High Court ruling on the Senate’s leadership structure. However, Deputy Speaker Murungi dismissed the demand, ruling that the decision only applied to the National Assembly and that Kenya Kwanza remained the majority in the Senate.

“As far as I am concerned, no High Court ruling has declared Azimio the majority in the Senate. Kenya Kwanza remains the majority coalition here, and members should act accordingly,” Murungi ruled.

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Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo challenged this stance, urging Murungi to clarify whether the High Court ruling applied exclusively to the National Assembly or both Houses.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua declared himself the new Deputy Majority Leader, prompting Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli to question his appointment.

“We are not asking these questions for ourselves, but on behalf of Kenyans. The Speaker must clarify who is the Majority and Minority Leader in this House to end this confusion,” Wambua stated.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna argued that it was absurd for Azimio to be considered the majority in the National Assembly but the minority in the Senate. However, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana countered that the Senate’s composition does not have to mirror that of the National Assembly, insisting that it was possible for a coalition to be majority in one House and minority in the other.

Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina, who now claims to be the new Majority Whip, thanked Khalwale for graciously vacating the seat, sarcastically remarking that Kenya was now operating in interesting political times.

Meanwhile, Nominated Senator Veronica Maina defended Kenya Kwanza’s majority status, stating that she personally witnessed the United Democratic Movement (UDM) sign an agreement to leave Azimio and join Kenya Kwanza while serving as UDA Secretary-General.

However, Senator Omogeni dismissed this, citing the High Court ruling, which found that no valid coalition exit agreements had been presented to the judges to prove the defecting parties legally left Azimio.

“The Speaker should table official documents proving that these parties lawfully exited Azimio and submitted coalition agreements to the Registrar of Political Parties, as the court ruling stated that no such evidence was provided,” Omogeni said.

Senators Lobby for Powerful Committee Positions

Beyond the leadership wrangles, intense lobbying is underway as the Senate moves to reconstitute its 19 standing and sessional committees for the fourth session of the 13th Parliament.

Senators have already approved Ali Roba (Mandera), Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), Hillary Sigei (Bomet), Mohamed Faki (Mombasa), Crystal Asige, Shakila Abdalla, and Veronica Maina as members of the Senate Business Committee (SBC).

By virtue of their leadership positions, Speaker Amason Kingi, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, Majority Whip Boni Khalwale, and Minority Whip Ledama ole Kina are also part of the committee.

Significant changes have also been made to the Senate Business Committee, with Nominated Senators Shakila Abdalla and Crystal Asige replacing Agnes Kavindu (Machakos) and Tabitha Mutinda (Nominated).

The SBC plays a crucial role in managing Senate operations and setting its legislative agenda, prioritising business to be handled on the floor of the House.

Battle for Sought-After Committee Roles

A fierce battle is underway for control of the most powerful Senate committees, with some lawmakers seeking to swap positions.

The most sought-after committees include: Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee and Delegated Legislation Committee,

Currently, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ chairs the Senate County Public Accounts Committee, deputised by Samson Cherargei (Nandi).

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi chairs the Senate Public Investment and Special Funds Committee, with Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda as his deputy.

At the start of the 13th Parliament, Kenya Kwanza used its numerical advantage to push through a list of committee chairs and deputies, including the Delegated Legislation Committee, chaired by Mwenda Gataya (Tharaka Nithi) and deputised by Danson Mungatana (Tana River)—a committee that, by parliamentary tradition, should have been chaired by the opposition.

Senate Minority Whip Ledama ole Kina confirmed that talks were ongoing among senators to ensure the reconstitution of committees considered members’ expertise, institutional memory, and competence.

Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo was categorical that some committees had become ineffective and needed new leadership to make them active again.

“Many committees are dormant. We need competent, academically sound, and professional members to revamp their activities. Azimio will prioritise expertise in committee appointments,” Madzayo stated.

“We want to know who is behind these killings and abductions. That is our duty as the opposition, and we will not relent in seeking answers,” Madzayo affirmed.

With the leadership dispute unresolved and the reconstitution of Senate committees ongoing, the fourth session of the 13th Parliament is shaping up to be one of the most contentious yet.

Azimio’s Parliamentary Agenda

Azimio has also outlined key issues it will push in the fourth session of the Senate:

Clarification on the High Court ruling – Azimio will demand to know whether the court’s decision on majority status applies only to the National Assembly or extends to the Senate.

Security concerns – Azimio senators will seek answers regarding recent abductions, disappearances, and killings, which they say have left many families in agony and fear.

Citizen identification – The coalition will question President Ruto’s decision to scrap vetting requirements for North Eastern residents before obtaining national ID cards.