Governors urge Uhuru to reject flags’ Bill, warn of court action

Governors have declared they would seek intervention of the Supreme Court should President Kenyatta sign into law a Bill on flags and titles passed by the National Assembly.

Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto Sunday asked the President not to assent to the Bill seeking to deny governors the right to fly the national flag and use certain titles saying this was both unpatriotic and unconstitutional.

“If the Bill is assented to, then I can assure you that the governors will move to court to challenge its constitutionality. There is also a window of opportunity for county assemblies to pass laws that would allow governors to fly flags within their counties”, he noted.

The Bomet governor accused MPs of passing retrogressive laws. “I may not be surprised to see these MPs soon passing laws barring Kenyans from singing the National Anthem,” he said.

Gains of devolution

If the President assented to the Bill, it would be a clear indication that his government was out to take away the gains of devolution that Kenyans were already enjoying at the grass root level, he said.

Speaking during a tour of development projects at Konoin in Bomet County, Mr Ruto called on the Jubilee Coalition of which he is member to listen to concerns raised by the CORD coalition as relates to governance.

“The calls for dialogue between the ruling elite and the opposition should not be dismissed wholesale. It is important for leaders of various political divides at the national level to consult on issues of national importance and chart a common front in resolving them,” Mr Ruto stated.

The fact that leaders belonged to different political parties should not be reason for them not to consult on matters affecting the country, he said.

Mr Ruto however cautioned the CORD coalition against stirring unrest in the country while playing as it plays its role of checking the excesses of government.

Mr Ruto at the same time called for a repeal of the country’s election laws to allow presidential candidates to contest for senatorial and parliamentary seats.

This would ensure they are not left idle for five years in the event they lose the race for presidency. Instead, the country would be allowed to benefit from their expertise in legislative work and development.

The Bomet governor said the experiences of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka, former cabinet ministers Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth and former permanent secretary James Kiyiapi, all who lost the race for presidency in last year’s General Election should be tapped into for the country’s socio-economic development.