Speaker Wetang’ula explains why Nyoro’s special sitting request was impractical

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula rejected a proposal by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro to recall Parliament during recess for an extraordinary session to address the escalating fuel costs.
Addressing the National Assembly on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, during the afternoon proceedings, Wetang’ula stated the request violated the procedures specified in the House Standing Orders, emphasizing that special session applications must be submitted through party or coalition leadership.
“Standing Order 29 mandates that any member wishing to convene an extraordinary House sitting must consult their party or coalition leadership to forward a request for the Speaker’s consideration,” Wetang’ula informed the House.
The Speaker also took issue with how the request was presented, noting that the matter was disclosed publicly before officially reaching his desk.
“Significantly, the request was shared with media outlets before it came to the Speaker’s attention. I considered that unusual because communications between members and the Speaker should be confidential and can only be made public after the Speaker has received the communication,” he stated.
Wetang’ula further clarified that the request’s timing rendered it impractical, as the House was already set to resume regular sessions according to the established parliamentary calendar.
“Therefore, accepting the member’s non-compliant request would have resulted in his proposed special sitting occurring yesterday or today, when the House was already scheduled to convene under the approved calendar, making it redundant,” he explained.
Nyoro had called for the emergency session due to growing public outcry over elevated fuel prices and a nationwide transport strike. The Kiharu representative suggested measures to lower pump prices, including eliminating VAT on petroleum products, reducing fuel taxes, and enhancing subsidies via the Fuel Stabilisation Fund.
Nevertheless, these recommendations encountered resistance from government authorities and several legislators, who contended that decreasing the taxes would harm road infrastructure initiatives and disrupt fuel pricing systems.
Wetang’ula advised leaders to tackle the issue collectively rather than politicizing it.
“In my assessment, the challenge of rising fuel expenditures can only be resolved through unified, impartial, and comprehensive initiatives involving all stakeholders, including the national government, the legislative body, and the private sector. Individual and partisan remarks are counterproductive at present and merely serve to politicize an issue that profoundly affects the well-being of all Kenyans,” he concluded.