By Ahmed Salat Ali| AARAN TV KE Political Affairs
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned Moses Wetang’ula to refrain from allowing discussions about him in Parliament without a substantive motion, accusing the National Assembly Speaker of disregarding the House’s standing orders.
Speaking during the funeral service of the late David Njuguna Kiaraho, the Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou, where Wetang’ula was also present, Gachagua criticised the Speaker’s conduct while presiding over parliamentary proceedings. The Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) leader said the Speaker had repeatedly permitted debates that contravene parliamentary rules.
Gachagua cited Standing Order No. 55 of the National Assembly, which bars Members of Parliament from discussing individuals who are not members of the House unless a substantive motion has first been formally introduced.
“I want to draw your attention to Standing Order Number 55. To discuss someone who does not sit in the National Assembly, there must first be a substantive motion,” Gachagua said.
He added that such a motion must be formally prepared and approved before any debate can take place.
“It requires that a Member submit a written and signed motion, approved by the Speaker, before it is placed on the Order Paper for debate,” he explained.
The former Deputy President expressed frustration that the rule had allegedly been ignored, claiming that his name had been mentioned in Parliament on more than five occasions without the required procedure being followed.
Gachagua also singled out Kimani Ichung’wah, the Kikuyu Member of Parliament, accusing him of repeatedly raising his name in the House with the Speaker’s approval despite the absence of a substantive motion.
He questioned why the Speaker had allowed such discussions to proceed, saying the conduct had undermined the dignity of the National Assembly.
“You have let the National Assembly down,” Gachagua told Wetang’ula during the ceremony.
In a pointed remark, he reminded the Speaker that his role required neutrality.
“You are the Speaker of the National Assembly, not a youth winger for the United Democratic Alliance,” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks drew cheers and applause from mourners attending the funeral service.
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