MPs plot action after court losses

What you need to know:

  • The leaders view verdicts as an attempt to muzzle Parliament

Lawmakers are now plotting a do-or-die battle against the Judiciary after losing two high-profile cases in a row.

Members of the National Assembly lost a case against the Judicial Service Commission on Tuesday while senators got their own beating when the High Court rescinded their impeachment of Embu Governor Martin Wambora early this year. 

Bitter lawmakers on Thursday declared they would fight anyone who tries to muzzle them inorder to protect the mandate of Parliament and its role as a public watchdog.

They said the Judiciary’s budget would be their target in a bid to send a message to the judges that the Houses cannot be controlled by any other arm of government.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said no court in the land could stop Parliament from conducting its constitutional duties. “You cannot injunct Parliament. It is not possible. You cannot stop the people’s representatives from doing their job. The judges only went for the technicalities not the substance of the matter,” said Prof Kindiki.

Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, also vice-chairman of the committee that recommended Mr Wambora’s impeachment, said Tuesday’s High Court ruling opened space for people to undermine the powers of Parliament.

“The judges are setting a bad precedent where accountability is being undermined and courts are becoming a refuge for those who plunder public resources,” he said.

But others struck a conciliatory tone saying they would seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation inorder to put the supremacy battle to rest. Ol Jororok MP John Waiganjo said: “We have no choice but go to the Supreme Court. This matter should be sorted once and for all.” The message being conveyed was that parties can go to court to block Parliament from doing its work, he said.