National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has declared that all Members of Parliament (MPs) appreciate his leadership and can vouch for his fairness in running the House.
“If you talk to my MPs, all 349 of them, they will tell you how balanced and unbiased I am, how much they love my leadership in the House, and how objectively I guide and counsel them,” Wetang’ula stated, while on an interview on Daily Report TV47 with Derbal.
The Speaker made perhaps his most significant claim when addressing accusations of bias.
“Since I was elected speaker in September 2022, nobody, and I mean nobody, not even the president has ever called me as speaker to encourage me or cajole me or in any way try to influence me on how to run the House. And if any such call came, I will not accept it,” he said.
Wetang’ula emphasized that he has no conflict of interest in carrying out his responsibilities.
He clarified that according to the Constitution and the Political Parties Act, elected leaders including the President, Deputy President, Speakers, and MPs are permitted to hold positions in political parties.
He cited international examples to support his position, noting that in the United States, Vice President JD Vance serves as Speaker of the Senate too.
“The Speaker of the Senate of America is the Vice President of America. DJ Vance is the Speaker of the Senate of America. He’s as Republican as Republicans come. He does not sit regularly. That’s why the actual speaker who sits regularly is called Speaker Tempore,” Wetang’ula explained.
He also pointed to Uganda, where the Speaker of Parliament serves as Deputy Party Leader of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The Speaker acknowledged that when he assumed office, there was significant tension between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalitions.
However, he managed to balance their interests to the point where they started sitting together, talking to one another, and discharging parliamentary work.
“When I came in as speaker, there was a very tense moment between Azimio and Kenya Kwanzaa. But I balanced their interests to a level where they started sitting together, talking to one another, and discharging parliamentary work,” he said.
Wetang’ula explained the limitations of his role, noting that the speaker of parliament does not initiate business in the house, does not debate business in the house, and does not vote on any business in the house.
“The Speaker of Parliament does not initiate business in the house, does not debate business in the house, does not vote on any business in the house. Under the old constitution, the Speaker of Parliament had a casting vote where there was a tie, on any vote,” he explained.
He defended Parliament’s record against criticism, stating, that the parliament being cast aspersions on has acted admirably in passing legislation.
“This parliament that you’re casting aspersions on has acted admirably in passing legislation particularly legislation on matters health, economy, infrastructure, environment, and education,” Wetang’ula stated.
