Last Updated on May 15, 2026 by courtnews reporter

High Court Lifts Suspension of Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami as Committee Chair in Major Blow to National Assembly

Published: May 15, 2026 | 12:41 AM EAT

Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami has secured a major court victory after the High Court lifted his suspension as chairperson of the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education.

High Court Judge Gregory Mutai suspended the implementation of the decision removing Wanami from the powerful parliamentary oversight committee and ordered that the constitutional petition challenging the move be fast-tracked.

“I direct that the petition shall be fast tracked, heard and determined within 120 days of today,” ruled Justice Mutai.

The legislator had been suspended on April 22, 2026, following bribery allegations, with the matter referred to the Committee of Powers and Privileges for investigation.

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MP Challenges Suspension as Unlawful

In court filings, Wanami argued that his suspension was unlawful and violated due process.

He told the court that:

• No investigation had been conducted before the suspension

• No formal findings of misconduct had been made

• No report had been issued by the Committee of Powers and Privileges as required by law

According to the MP, the suspension violated Section 17(3) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017.

Moses Wetang’ula Accused of Violating Constitutional Rights

Wanami also accused National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula of violating his constitutional rights.

The MP argued that the Speaker breached:

• Article 10 – Good governance and rule of law

• Article 47(1) – Fair administrative action

• Article 50(1) – Right to a fair hearing

He maintained that he was suspended without substantiated reasons and denied a meaningful opportunity to defend himself.

Lawyer Bryan Khaemba Attacks Process

Through lawyer Bryan Khaemba, the MP told the court that the complaint was handled hastily.

Khaemba said the matter arose after the Speaker raised a privilege issue allegedly linked to a complaint from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

The complaint was then referred to the Committee of Powers and Privileges for formal inquiry.

“The Speaker also took the impugned step of suspending the MP, an action he avers was taken without affording him any meaningful opportunity to be heard,” Khaemba told the court.

MP Says Punishment Came Before Due Process

Wanami argued that he was punished based on allegations alone.

He told the court that liability should follow proper legal process—not come before investigations and hearings.

The MP further argued that the Speaker acted outside powers granted under:

• Section 15

• Section 16

• Section 17

of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act.

He said the suspension took effect immediately even before a formal hearing.

Powerful Oversight Committee at Centre of Legal Fight

The Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education is one of Parliament’s most influential oversight committees.

It was created after being separated from the broader Public Investment Committee during reforms to parliamentary Standing Orders by the 12th Parliament.

Its role includes examining public investments and accounts in:

• Education

• Defence

• Governance

• Justice

• Law and order

The court case now sets up a major legal showdown over parliamentary authority, due process, and constitutional protections.