Senator Kipchumba Murkomen criticises Martin Wambora ruling
What you need to know:
- Court should have ordered for arbitration instead of making a ruling that went against the wishes of county leaders, says Murkomen
A senator has rubbished the High Court judgment that reinstated Embu Governor Martin Nyaga Wambora, as the governors council praised it.
Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen accused courts of promoting judicial activism at the expense of the rule of law.
On Wednesday, the High Court in Kerugoya declared Mr Wambora’s impeachment null and void as county assembly members passed a motion against him despite a restraining order.
Speaking on Thursday in the Senate Mr Murkomen, said: “There is a trend of judicial activism crawling in the country in which there is abuse of matters of accountability and public interest.”
Instead of promoting good governance, the Judiciary had resorted to intimidating other independent institutions, he said.
“The courts should not return the country to a political quagmire,” said the senator.
However, Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto said the judgment had safeguarded devolution.
Mr Ruto said in a statement that devolution faced many challenges and urged all Kenyans to play their role to protect the system to reap its benefits.
“As the first governors of the 47 counties of Kenya, history will judge us harshly if we allow devolution to fail and we promise that failure is not an option,”
He said governors supported the principle of separation of powers and called for respect for the Judiciary.
Immediately Mr Wambora was reinstated, Embu County Assembly members declared that they would begin the impeachment afresh.
CALLED FOR DIALOGUE
The Embu Council of Elders and ward leaders allied to Mr Wambora on Thursday called for dialogue between him and the representatives.
They urged the governor to urgently reach out to the county’s senator, MPs, women representatives and ward leaders for reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Embu County Assembly Speaker Justus Mate and Mr Jim Kauma, the clerk, have a date with the court for contempt.
They allowed a motion that impeached Mr Wambora after they had been served with an order restraining them from doing so. The High Court in Kerugoya expects the two on May 15.
By Dennis Odunga, Ouma Wanzala and George Munene
