Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, accusing him of failing to uphold parliamentary procedures by allowing members of the House to discuss him without following the required standing orders.

Speaking on Wednesday during a memorial service for the late Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho in Nyandarua County, Gachagua claimed the Speaker had repeatedly allowed debates about him despite the absence of a substantive motion as required by parliamentary rules.

“Mr Speaker, I have heard you speaking about the standing orders. I want to draw your attention to Standing Order 51, which states that to discuss someone who does not sit in the National Assembly, there must be a substantive motion,” Gachagua said.

He explained that the rule requires a member of Parliament to submit a written and signed motion approved by the Speaker before it can be placed on the order paper for debate.

“It requires that a member deliver a written and signed motion approved by the Speaker before it is placed on the order paper for debate.

Five times, you have allowed the National Assembly to discuss me without a substantive motion. You have let the House down,” he added.

Gachagua further took issue with the Speaker’s conduct, accusing him of acting in favour of the ruling party.

“You are the Speaker of the National Assembly, not a youth winger for UDA. If Kimani Ichung’wah wants to discuss me, let him move a substantive motion in accordance with Standing Order 51,” he said.

The former deputy president also questioned Wetang’ula’s commitment to upholding the law, noting that the Speaker is a trained lawyer.

“You have led the National Assembly down. You are the Speaker of the National Assembly, not a youth winger for UDA,” Gachagua added.

The memorial service marked the first public interaction between Gachagua and allies of President William Ruto since their political fallout in 2025, signalling continued tensions within the ruling coalition.