Cord MPs will not attend special House sitting: Moses Wetang'ula

What you need to know:

  • Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula on Sunday said legislators had not been informed whether the sitting was on a national matter.
  • Last week, President Kenyatta wrote to the Speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly and asked them to prepare for the special sitting.

Cord MPs will not attend Monday's special sitting of Parliament called by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula on Sunday said legislators had not been informed whether the sitting was on a national matter.

Last week, President Kenyatta wrote to the Speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly and asked them to prepare for the special sitting.

On Friday evening, MPs were receiving text messages on their phones that read: “Mheshimiwa, please note that Pursuant to Article 132 (1) (b) of the Constitution, His Excellency The President will address a Joint Sitting of Parliament on Monday 6th October, 2014 at 3pm in the National Assembly Chamber. Kindly attend. Thank you  Justin B. Muturi & Ekwee Ethuro.”

The special sitting, coming just two days before the President is scheduled to become the first sitting Head of State to appear before the ICC, raised expectations that he would address the matter.

The Constitution says that the President may address Parliament at any time.

The Speakers on Friday evening prepared a legal notice for publication in the Kenya Gazette.

Monday is not a typical sitting day for the Houses even if they were in session. Both Houses of Parliament meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Each House has its own independently-controlled calendar but the President by law addresses the opening of each newly-elected Parliament, which he did last year.

Earlier this year, he also addressed Parliament as required by the Constitution and submitted reports on progress made in realising national values and progress made in fulfilling Kenya’s international obligations.