Parliament saw some of the most memorable moments this year since President William Ruto’s regime took over in 2022.
From being accused of blindly following the Executive, holding tense impeachment motions, and hilarious soundbytes from the lawmakers, the two houses saw it all in 2024.
The invasion during the June Gen-Z protests remains one of the most memorable moments of 2024, when crowds of protestors broke into Parliament buildings.
The two houses, mandated to, among others, pass laws governing the country, provided Kenyans with the most unforgettable moments of the year, prompting both disbelief and comic relief.
Parliament Invasion
On the morning of Tuesday, June 25, Kenyan youth set out to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) as the National Assembly lawmakers prepared to rule on the fate of the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Following weeks of positive backing by the MPs, activists and concerned Kenyans had utilised social media to provide civic education to fellow Kenyans and organise a mega protest across the nation.
Activists held spaces on X while influencers and celebrities used their platforms to speak against the bill that proposed taxes amounting to over Ksh300 billion in fresh revenue for the government.
After the MPs voted to ascent the bill, the #OccupyParliament protestors lived up to their name and invaded the Parliament buildings, raiding the cafeteria, occupying the plush seats and offices, and even burning a section of the building.
Most disheartening of it all, however, was the murder of several protestors shot by live bullets on that grim day.
The whole number of Kenyans who lost their lives rose to 68 as the June protests seeped into July and went from anti-finance to anti-government, calling for President William Ruto to resign.
Instead of leaving office, the President did away with the bill, and in an astonishing betrayal to his supporters in the national assembly, he announced he would not be ascending the bill to law.
Gachagua Impeachment
What started as rumours in late September turned out to be the gospel when an impeachment motion against the former Deputy President was filed in the National Assembly on October 1.
Backed by the then little-known Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, the motion did not catch many Kenyans by surprise as tensions had already been witnessed between the two top country bosses.
Accused of 11 digressions, including gross misconduct, Gachagua received little support from the beginning, with 291 MPs appending their signatures in support of the motion.
A heated impeachment debate culminated in voting for the impeachment a week later, where an almost midnight vote resulted in 282 MPs voting in support of the impeachment.
Senate Trial
On the eve of his impeachment trial in the Senate, Gachagua held a 2-hour-long press conference bearing his heart out to Kenyans and denouncing the accusations against him.
Held in a trial-like format, witnesses, including the former KEMSA CEO, were cross-examined by both ends.
The National Assembly was represented by a legal team led by Siaya Governor James Orengo, while Paul Muite led Gachagua’s team, which also included hard-hitting lawyers like Elisha Ongoya and Ndegwa Njiru.
On the final day of his trial, October 17, Gachagua was taken ill just before he could be cross-examined by the lawyers from the National Assembly.
In a shocking decision that set precedence on how the process would develop, the senators decided to proceed with voting, where they ultimately upheld their National Assembly counterparts, and Gachagua was kicked out of office.
Through it all, he maintained backing from members of both houses, including Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba,…
Adani Deal Revocation
On November 21, just a few hours before the President was to deliver his state-of-the-nation address, news broke that Gautam Adani had been indicted in a Ksh32 billion corruption scandal in the US.
During his address, President Ruto, who had adamantly defended the controversial deal, announced that Kenya would be ceasing all negotiations with the Indian conglomerate and revoking the KETRACO deal that had been signed already.
Most memorable of this moment was the reaction of the MPs and government officials who cheered the president’s decision despite having previously backed him on the necessity of the deal.
Unammused Kenyans pointed out the hypocrisy of the MP’s reaction, which mirrored the announcement of the finance bill 2024 being revoked despite having almost unanimously voted for its passing.
Sound bytes
Despite the serious nature of the parliament, some hilarious moments are not rare. In 2024, two main Kenyan politicians provided much-needed comic relief when their sensational words went viral and excited Kenyans across the country.
During the Finance Bill debate on June 19, Millie Odhiambo hit back at Speaker Moses Wetangula, who had asked her to be a good role model to younger female MPs, when she responded unconventionally, stating that good girls do not get the corner office.
“Be a bad girl like me and you will be the mother of this house. I am a bad girl and as a bad girl I am here serving my fourth term,” she declared.
During the senate impeachment trial of Rigathi Gachagua, motion mover Mwengi Mutuse faced it tough under cross-examination by Gachagua’s lawyer, Elisha Ongoya.
A memorable moment from the session was when Ongoya urged Mutuse, “It might be getting hotter, but look at the document, compose yourself, and read.”
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE