Ichung’wah accuses Judiciary of attempting to nullify bills forwarded to Ruto for assent
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
Ichung'wah expressed concerns over a troubling trend where petitioners are challenging the constitutionality of pending bills, asserting that this undermines the legislative mandate.
The National Assembly Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung'wah has hit out at the Judiciary and accused it of allegedly attempting to invalidate various bills passed by the House and forwarded to the President for assent.
Ichung'wah on Monday expressed concerns over a troubling trend where petitioners are challenging the constitutionality of pending bills, asserting that this undermines the legislative mandate.
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"The courts have taken advantage of the absence of a substantive public participation law to impose new thresholds for public participation. In many instances, these standards are introduced retroactively, annulling laws that adhered to existing public participation principles," Ichung'wah said in Naivasha.
He noted the urgent need for the National Assembly to fast-track the enactment of a public participation statute.
This law would establish clear guidelines and a structured framework to ensure that government decisions, at both national and county levels, are made transparently and collaboratively.
Ichung'wah, who is also the Kikuyu MP, urged committee chairpersons to take a proactive role in ensuring meaningful public participation during legislative processes.
He noted that while the Judiciary had previously shown restraint in interfering with bills, parliamentary committees needed to uphold robust public participation practices to avoid court challenges.
In pursuit of the Assembly's legislative agenda for the 13th Parliament, Ichung'wah acknowledged the pressing need to address numerous bills, including those currently in mediation.
He encouraged members to attend House and Committee sittings diligently, stressing that maintaining quorum is vital for expediting urgent business before the December recess.
Highlighting the National Assembly's achievements this session, Ichung'wah reported significant legislative progress.
To date, the Assembly has passed eight bills, adopted eighty-nine motions, and reviewed numerous statutory instruments. Key bills include the Affordable Housing Bill, the Supplementary Appropriation (No.2) Bill, and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill.
"These legislative milestones reflect our commitment to addressing pressing issues. Let us leverage our diverse perspectives to enhance the quality of our work and ensure it aligns with the will of the Kenyan people," Ichung'wah concluded.
The Judiciary led by Chief Justice Martha Koome has yet to respond to Ichung'wah's allegations.
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