Ruto makes impromptu visit to parliament before majority ruling
President William Ruto yesterday made an impromptu visit to parliament to have lunch with the Speakers of the bicameral House.
Ruto who flagged off Kenyan tea to Accra, Ghana, under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Guided Trade Initiative, at the KICC in the morning, drove quietly to Parliament.
“We will take decisive action to enhance the diversification of our economy to unleash the full force of our manufacturing sector for our farmers to benefit from better prices. Flagged off value-added tea to Accra, Ghana,” said President Ruto.
Yesterday, President Ruto who showed up in parliament had lunch with both Speakers Moses Wetang’ula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate) and a host of MPs from across the political divide.
The President queued at the member’s dining area to serve lunch with the MPs and senators.
While having a hearty chat with the lawmakers, Ruto served ‘pilau’, chicken and assorted vegetables.
After the meal, the Head of State took photos with the parliamentary staff including waitresses and sergeant-at-arms at the lawns before leaving to his motorcade which was parked at the Senate.
The President, who was accompanied by State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua, his director of communications David Mugonyi and digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, freely interacted with MPs and could be seen greeting and sharing light moments with Phelix Odiwuor (Langata), Sarah Korere (Laikipia North), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Naomi Waqo (Marsabit Woman Rep) and Martha Wangari (Gilgil), among other leaders.
The Head of State spent about an hour with the MPs and left at around 2pm wishing them a safe stay and fruitful deliberations.
“Asanteni sana. Thank you very much. Have a beautiful stay,” the President was heard saying while making his way to the motorcade.
Ruto’s presence at parliament came hours before Wetang’ula makes a ruling on which coalition party will be the majority side in the 13th Parliament.
Pundits argue his presence could be a way of influencing the ruling. “I strongly believe the President wants a parliamentary system of government. Why is he in parliament right now? Let’s just implement BBI and change this thing once and for all,” said Senator Ledama ole Kina.
Members of the rival coalitions on Tuesday put spirited arguments to defend their positions over the constitutionality and legality of which coalition is the Majority party.
And in turn of events, Wetang’ula dismissed a copy of a coalition agreement by Azimio-One Kenya secretary general Junet Mohammed as not admissible. “I have gone through the document tabled by Junet and found out it is not admissible by the fact that it is not properly done.
Attempts by Junet to challenge the ruling were dismissed by the Speaker who termed his position as informed by the content in the document.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who has been nominated by the Kenya Kwanza coalition to take the position said Azimio could not claim the majority slot since it has no single member elected on its ticket.
Ichung’wah told the House that the forced passage of the Political Parties Act in the 12th Parliament was to blame for the current debacle over which coalition has the majority membership.
“You passed a law that has come back to haunt you. As it stands Azimio has no single member in the National Assembly,” said the MP.
Ichung’wah said the fact that two different parties, ODM and Jubilee Party have set two different lists confirms that Azimio does not exist as an entity.
