Under normal circumstances, Mr Moses Wetang’ula , the Ford Kenya Party leader who in 2022 rose to become the Speaker of the National Assembly, is reported by his close allies to be a nice man.
But when politics of interests comes into the picture, the same allies say he transforms into something else.
He is a man in a storm as accusations whirl around him, ranging from bending standing orders to suit sectarian causes to taking to public podiums to campaign for the government side.
He is also under public scrutiny on how he has been admitting political debates on the floor of the House, where absent parties are prejudiced without being accorded an opportunity to defend themselves.
Last week, he was in the eye of a storm for issuing the Ol Kalou writ past the 21 days provided for in law. Mr Wetang’ula issued the writ close to midnight on April 22 but backdated it to April 20 when the legal limit was supposed to be April 19.
To the United Opposition and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the speaker is behaving in a manner suggesting an inclination to indecent influence on the 2027 General Election.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.
Photo credit: Pool I Nation Media Group
Born on September 13, 1956, the lawyer has served as a magistrate, nominated MP (1993-1997), Sirisia MP (2002-2013), Bungoma Senator (2013-2022), minister and assistant minister.
With a considerable grip over Bungoma politics, Mr Wetang’ula, sometimes called Papa wa Roma, is facing new challengers after the emergence of new young firebrands in his Bukusu backyard – specifically, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna – who appear to be eclipsing him.
“If you knew Weta like I know him, you wouldn’t be quick to judge him. He is a man who aims at being a typical good-hearted man,” says Mzee Patrick Wafula from Chwele village. “He is amiable, jocular and generous.”
Mr Wetang’ula’s clashing image started emerging when he joined Kenya Kwanza Alliance in the run-up to the high-stakes 2022 poll, aligning with United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate William Ruto.
“Epically opposed by the incumbent president and the State machinery, Dr Ruto miraculously won the vote, carrying loads of doubt,” says historian Macharia Munene.
Prof Munene adds that Mr Wetang’ula immediately became a punching bag by the Azimio coalition wing that had narrowly lost the presidential vote, but had the majority members in the house.
Mr Wetang’ula’s case was not helped by the politics of realignments that hit parliament as Dr Ruto recruited numbers to control the legislative agenda, even when the Azimio wing disputed whether Kenya Kwanza was indeed the majority side.
Mr Wetang’ula was faced with the awkward task of ruling whether his side had the majority of MPs, and he did not disappoint since he ruled in his own side’s favour to remain the Speaker.
National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula.
Photo credit: File | NMG
Faced with serving a political terrain full of dissent and suspicion against those close to power, being the constitutionally acclaimed third-in-command, pundits say it is up to him to present himself to Kenyans in the best version he would wish to be perceived.
