Wetangula Explains Ruto's Surprise Lunch Date At Parliament

Beforehand, he was flagging off Kenyan tea to Accra, Ghana under the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi. 

Wetangula Explains Ruto's Surprise Lunch Date At Parliament
President William Ruto and National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, at Parliament on October 5, 2022. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, has explained why President William Ruto caught everyone in Parliament by surprise when he paid a visit for lunch on Wednesday, October 5.

The Head of State in photos and videos shared online was seen with his new Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga, alongside other officials as he greeted the lawmakers who were in the Parliament environs on a lunch break before retreating to proceedings from 2.30 pm.

Beforehand, he was flagging off Kenyan tea to Accra, Ghana under the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi. The distance between KICC and Parliament is just a stone-throw away.

"Regular consultations between the Legislature and the Executive will provide opportunities for diverse voices to be heard on issues that matter to the citizenry. Had the pleasure of hosting H.E. President William Ruto who dropped by the Members’ canteen at Parliament for lunch," Wetangula stated.

During the flagging off, the President noted that the country's growth in tea would best be utilised by exporting it to other African countries to boost trade, affirm the product's popularity across the continent and enhance bilateral relations between the countries.

"There is no reason why countries in the African continent buy tea from other markets while we can provide them tea at the same price. It is unfair for our brothers and sisters to drink low-quality tea while we have the high quality here," he stated. 

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina however criticised the motive of the visit, wondering what its purpose was.

“I strongly believe that the president of Kenya wants a parliamentary system of government. Why is he in Parliament right now? Let us just implement BBI and change this thing once and for all,” he remarked.

During the morning session, Members of Parliament (MPs) debated on President Ruto's speech during the joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate last week, whereby he elaborated on a number of issues facing the country in an address 30 minutes short.

Meanwhile, a supremacy battle continues to brew in the August House over the Majority leadership, with Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalitions locked at loggerheads.

Defence Cabinet Secretary nominee Aden Duale dismissed Azimio's stance by affirming that it was a coalition, not a party.

"The reason why Azimio was accepted to be registered is that it's a corporate political party. The moment you are a member of ODM, by extension you are a member of Azimio political party," Nominated MP, John Mbadi, countered.

Wetangula retreated to prepare the ruling amidst a heated debate and promised to deliver the ruling by Thursday, October 6.

In the Senate, the matter was already decided by Speaker Amason Kingi, who named Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot as the Senate Majority Leader, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja as the Deputy Majority Leader, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale as the Senate Majority Whip and Deputy Majority Whip, Samburu Senator Ltumbesi Lelegwe.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula. /TWITTER 

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