Speaker Dr Moses Wetang’ula…Photo/IP
By Alex Wekesa | The Intellectuals Post (IP)
NAIROBI, Kenya
Parliament on Wednesday morning adjourned its sitting following the shocking news of the death of ODM Party Leader and Opposition Chief, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, made the announcement moments after the House convened, visibly moved by the gravity of the moment.
Citing Standing Order Number One — which empowers the Speaker to make decisions in exceptional circumstances — Wetang’ula suspended the morning session.
“I will invoke my authority under Standing Order Number One, and I direct as follows: The sitting this morning is adjourned.
We will reconvene at 2:30 p.m., when the Speaker will make an important communication.
For now, the House stands adjourned to 2:30 p.m. this afternoon,” he said in a somber address to lawmakers.
The adjournment came as the nation grappled with the devastating news of Odinga’s death, which spread rapidly across the country early Wednesday, triggering an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the political spectrum.
Raila Odinga, a towering figure in Kenya’s political landscape for decades, served as the leader of the Opposition and remained one of the country’s most influential voices in national affairs until his final days.
Parliament is expected to issue an official statement during the afternoon session, with more tributes anticipated in the coming days as Kenya mourns the veteran politician.
🕊️ Rest in Peace, Baba.
