The National Assembly on Wednesday, October 5, convened for the first plenary sitting since its official opening by President William Ruto last week.
During their morning sitting, the members were caught off guard after the Head of State made an impromptu visit to the Parliament.
It was widely reported that the Head of State met the Speakers of both the National Assembly (Moses Wetang’ula) and the Senate (Amason Kingi).
According to photos circulating on social media, the president was captured in a queue with members whom he had lunch with them.
His unexpected visit comes at a time when National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is expected to make a major ruling on which the coalition party will be the majority in the 13th parliament.
The ruling will be made at 2:30 pm on Thursday, October 6.
While a section of analysts and Kenyans praised the First in Command for his impromptu visit to the parliament, the visit received criticism, especially from the opposition’s camp.
For instance, lawmakers allied to Raila’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party led by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina poked holes in Ruto’s unexpected visit claiming that it could influence Wetang’ula’s major ruling.
“I strongly believe the President wants a parliamentary system of government. Why is he in parliament right now? Let’s just implement BBI and change this thing once and for all,” Senator Ledama Ole Kina said in a Tweet.
However, the former Bungoma Senator dispelled Ole Kina’s sentiments stating that he will make a reasoned ruling based on what the Constitution says.
“I will consider the matter that you have prosecuted before the house and I will give you a reasoned ruling touching o the facts, the jurisprudence the constitutionality of the issue, and any other matters that we conversed on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 2:30 pm,” Speaker Wetang’ula said.
