Ruto laughs off Azimio’s claim of being majority party in Parliament

President William Ruto has laughed off claims by the Azimio Coalition party that they command a majority in the National Assembly.

Speaking in Naivasha at a Kenya Kwanza parliamentary group meeting, Ruto stated that it was ludicrous for the opposition outfit to claim that it controls a majority in the August House yet they could not muster enough votes to install their candidate as the National Assembly Speaker.

Kenya Kwanza won the National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker positions during an election held on September 8, 2022, after the swearing-in of lawmakers.

The ruling coalition had fronted former Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula as Azimio settled on former Speaker Kenneth Marende.

Wetangula clinched the seat after garnering 215 votes against Marende’s 130 votes during the first round of voting.

Azimio leaders however remain incessant that their outfit has more MPs and should automatically occupy all house leadership positions set aside by law for the majority side.

The coalition argues that their affiliates who have since crossed over to Ruto's side are still constitutionally bound to the political formation.

Speaking in Machakos at an Azimio coalition parliamentary group meeting, Martha Karua maintained that Azimio is the majority party in the National Assembly.

She stated that their outfit deserves the majority leader and majority whip positions in Parliament.

"We are the largest party in Parliament, we deserve to have the majority leader and whip position. You need to work together as a team because if you are not united, you’ll be made mince meat," she said.

While reiterating his deputy's sentiments, ODM leader Raila Odinga urged Azimio lawmakers to unite or else they will be ruled throughout their life in Parliament yet they have the numbers.

"If you do not unite, you are going to be ruled throughout the life of Parliament and yet we have the numbers and strength to be able to be rulers in the House," he said.