National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has opened up for the first time about the chilling moments during the June 2024 Parliament invasion, revealing how a "strange fellow" armed with acid and knives seized the Speaker's seat moments after he was whisked away.

In a candid interview with Royal Media Services’ Luhya vernacular stations, the usually stoic "Papa wa Roma" described the Gen-Z protests against the Finance Bill 2024 as the "toughest test" of his long political career. The veteran politician admitted that the security breach nearly cost him his life.

The 10-Minute Escape

Wetangula revealed that intelligence reports had warned of the impending breach, forcing him to adjourn the House abruptly. “Security advised me to leave immediately. I left the chamber, and about ten minutes later, the mob broke in,” he recalled. “A strange fellow sat on the Speaker's chair.”

The details of what was found on the intruder are terrifying. “When he was apprehended, he was found carrying acid, chemicals, and spring knives,” Wetangula disclosed. “These are things that would probably have seriously harmed the Speaker had I been on that chair. It was a matter of minutes.”

• Desecration of Symbols: The protestors not only occupied the seat of power but also damaged the Mace—the symbol of parliamentary authority. Wetangula described the scene as the "lowest point" in the history of Kenya’s legislature.
• The Aftermath: The invasion led to the death of protestors, the burning of a section of Parliament, and the eventual withdrawal of the Finance Bill by President Ruto. Wetangula says the memories still haunt him but insists that leadership requires moving forward.

"We Must Listen"

Reflecting on the crisis two years later, Wetangula adopted a conciliatory tone. He acknowledged that the anger of the youth was real and that the government had learned painful lessons about public engagement.“When you are in leadership, challenges are part of the game. We leave them behind us and look to the future,” he said.

However, critics argue that Parliament failed in its oversight role, acting as a "rubber stamp" for the Executive, which triggered the uprising. The image of a protestor eating lunch on the Speaker’s desk remains the defining symbol of the 2024 revolt—a moment when the *mwananchi* literally took over the House.

“I thank God I am alive,” Wetangula concluded. “But we must ensure that such a thing never happens again in our country. Violence is not the answer.”