The National Assembly has suffered a major setback yet again after the court of appeal declined to suspend the High Court’s ruling on the ongoing party majority dispute.
The three judge bench said there was no sufficient evidence to prove that parliamentary business would grind to a halt if the orders were not granted.
The NA had appealed the high court decision which ruled that Azimio party is the majority party in the national assembly.
National assembly had asked court to issue a stay order arguing that the desicion had severely disrupted legislative functions.
However, the Court dismissed these claims, noting that the National Assembly had continued to operate despite political tensions.
“Even after the contested Speaker’s ruling of 12th February 2025, the National Assembly has continued to discharge its duties, albeit with some acrimony,” the Court stated.
The judges further ruled that granting the orders would amount to endorsing the Speaker’s decision prematurely, as the High Court had yet to determine whether it complied with its earlier judgment.
Additionally, the Court dismissed concerns that the ruling could lead to legal consequences -contempt of court against Speaker Moses Wetangula.
“The likelihood of a party being summoned to court to respond to an allegation of contempt of court and the attendant inconvenience or embarrassment that may be so occasioned as a result is not sufficient reason to stay court proceedings.”
