Moses Wetang'ula Claps Back at Raila Odinga after Likening Him to Puppet: "3rd in Command"

 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has warned Azimio leader Raila Odinga of lecturing him about his role, following remarks by the former prime minister that criticised his move to court to challenge the appellate court's ruling on Housing Levy.  Speaker Moses Wetang'ula during a tour in Bungoma (l). Azimio leader Raila Odinga during the inauguration of the Hola Youth Innovation Centre in Tana River (r). Why did Speaker Moses Wetang'ula move to court? The former Bungoma senator stated that he did not decide on his preference but as a respondent in the case filed against the act.  "It is also notable that the National Assembly is in court not on its own volition but having been sued as a respondent in the court case challenging the Finance Act, 2023. The speaker is hence rightfully in court and has a constitutional right to appeal any decision of the Court of Appeal on behalf of the National Assembly," read a statement from the office of the speaker of the National Assembly. Raila claimed that Wetang'ula was summoned to witness President William Ruto's assent to the bill, but the UDA supporter informed him about the mandates of speakers of parliament to refer bills to presidents for their assent."In particular, Articles 109 (3), 110 (5), 111(3), 112 (2)(a), and 113 (3) obligate the speakers of the House of Parliament, as the case may be, to refer a bill passed in accordance with the aforementioned to the president for assent," he clarified. He called on the long-standing opposition leader and his advisors to revisit the role of the National Assembly in legal proceedings and matters touching the constitutionally third in command. "May it be held true that the former prime minister receives this pro bono advice and conducts himself honourably more so in matters touching on the constitutionally third in command, the speaker of the National Assembly," added the statement. What did Raila say about Wetang'ula? While addressing his supporters at Kamukunji grounds on Sunday, February 4, Raila argued that Wetang'ula was present when the bill was passed and hence did not deserve to move to court. "Wetangula does not qualify to be the speaker of Kenya. No one in the world has done what a speaker has done. He was there when the bill was passed, as faulty as it is. He oversaw it. "The law emanated from Parliament, and President Ruto signed it into law. If you are the speaker and have passed a law, your work ends there; whatever is remaining is for the Executive and the Judiciary,'' Raila said. What you need to know about Housing Levy The appellate court directed the Kenya Kwanza government to temporarily halt the deduction of salaries to fund the affordable housing project The High Court suspended the project, terming it unconstitutional President William ruto has launched the project in various counties in the country to fulfil his agenda of creating jobs for the youth The head of state insisted that he would not let a section of leaders move to court to derail the process and deny Kenyan development 

by  Nancy Odindo