‘I completely disagree’ – Kimani Ichung’wah differs with ruling declaring Azimio Majority
By Lutta Njomo, February 11, 2025Kikuyu Constituency Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, disagreed with the High Court ruling that declared Azimio Coalition the majority side in the National Assembly.
Speaking during the parliament session, Ichung’wah argued that the court does not have powers to limit the right of association as enshrined in the 2010 promulgated Constitution.
Ichung’wah told the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula that 14 legislators ceased to be Azimio members after the 2022 General Election where their parties expressed interest in exiting Azimio.
The vocal MP added that the parties which included Mandeleo Chap Chap, United Democratic Movement (UDM) and Jubilee had submitted their letters dissociating from Azimio.
“As much as I respect the decision of the court, I completely disagree with the court in many aspects,” Ichung’wah remarked.
“This constitution gives powers to enjoy rights including the right of association which is the most important thing in our constitution. Therefore the 14 members enjoy certain rights not an Act of Parliament can take away from them,”
While admitting that the court had annulled the Wetang’ula decision, Ichung’wah implored the speaker to make a fresh pronouncement taking into account the recent development in the political space.
He challenged the speaker to evaluate the constitution of each coalition and submit the decision which he insisted would unlock the deadlock.
Decision will not affect decisions
At the same time, he refuted claims that the ruling would affect past decisions made by the National Assembly. He made it clear that all legislation and approvals are branded as decisions of parliament.
He thus allayed fears the past decision could be challenged and squashed.
“The import of this ruling has nothing to do with past decisions of this house for the last two years because decisions of this house whether legislation or approvals are not made by a party neither are they made as businesses owned by the leader of the majority.
“Decisions of the house are the decision of parliament. Therefore all previous decisions are decisions of the house,” he insisted.
Earlier, Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed led a section of Azimio in occupying the majority side.
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