The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party has taken legal action against National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, accusing him of breaching the constitution.
In court documents, the Raila Odinga-led coalition asserts that Wetangula has delayed the removal of nominated MP Sabina Chege as Azimio’s Deputy Chief Whip.
The opposition coalition also criticizes Wetangula for recognizing Jubilee as a parliamentary party and, consequently, acknowledging Sabina Chege as its interim chief whip.
Azimio is urging the court to declare Chege’s position and the recognition of Jubilee as unconstitutional, demanding the repayment of public funds spent on her alleged office.
The court documents state, “…Declaration that the purported position of the whip of the Jubilee Party as a Parliamentary Party be declared unconstitutional and be revoked… that the direction of the Speaker of the National Assembly for Sabina Chege to be recognized as Jubilee Party whip be revoked and that the direction for the Clerk of the National Assembly to accord facilities for Chege as a whip for Jubilee Party be revoked.”
Azimio further seeks “a declaration that Sabina Chege repay all public money spent as a whip for the Jubilee Party, as well as an order awarding costs of the Petition to the Petitioner.”
Azimio argues that the Speaker’s actions violate crucial sections of the law, including the infringement of the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, usurpation of powers, undermining the independence of political parties, denial of access to justice, and misappropriation of public funds.
The Opposition party’s contentions trace back to a previous ruling where Wetangula, instead of dewhipping Chege as requested by Minority Whip Opiyo Wandayi, declined and recognized Jubilee Party, part of Azimio, as an independent parliamentary party against the law.
“In communication No.77 of 2023, the Respondent recognized the Jubilee Party as a Parliamentary Party and appointed Sabina Chege as the whip of the Jubilee Party in the interim,” noted the letter.
“Through the same communication, the Respondent also guided on the allocation of facilitation to the whip of the Jubilee party, Sabina Chege.”
Azimio asserts that the Speaker’s endorsement for Chege to assume the interim office, along with receiving facilitation, violates the law as it constitutes a misuse of public funds.
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Azimio Sues Speaker Wetangula Over Sabina Chege’s Deputy Whip Position, Azimio Sues Speaker Wetangula Over Sabina Chege’s Deputy Whip Position
