Azimio, Kenya Kwanza locks the horns for control of City Hall

The battle for key leadership positions in the Nairobi County Assembly has taken a new turn after the Speaker ruled on the leadership of the House of Representatives at the first session, despite a court order.

Spokesman Ken Ng’ondi said the Azimio coalition was the majority in the House and endorsed the list of members presented by the party.

At the same time, Ng’ondi declared the Kenya Kwanza coalition a minority party with 53 elected members, while the Azimio had 67.

The speaker’s decision came hours after a Nairobi court barred him from recognizing the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Party as a majority party in the Nairobi County Assembly.

Milimani Court Magistrate Cosmas Maundu barred the Majority Leader, Majority Whip and Deputy Majority Whip, and members of the District Assembly Committee from taking office until the case submitted by a voter was heard and decided.

“A Conservatory Order is hereby issued staying the implementation of the decision of October 11, 2022, contested by the second defendant, declaring Azimio La Umoja a majority party of the One Kenya Party,” Maundu ruled in the case filed on Tuesday.

“Consequently prohibit the listed officials from holding the positions of Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader and Member of the Service Committee of the County Assembly pending the hearing and decision of this motion. ‘ Maundu said.

In deciding which coalition was the majority, the Ng’ondi said he applied the rule of law and House Rules of Procedure.

The UDA’s Anthony Karaja, who was declared the leader of the minority, accused the speaker of “acting against the law”.

“I have been declared the minority leader even though I am the majority leader; The Speaker has not given people enough time to engage with the issues as happened in the National Assembly,” a Waithaka MCA member.

“Procedurally, the speaker should take their time and question the matter. We as the Kenya Kwanza are here despite the verdict; Kenya Kwanza is the majority coalition with 55 members and ODM with 52,” Kiragu said.

Kiragu said the spokesman’s decision was not final and Kenya Kwanza still had a chance in court, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.