Order blocking MPs' move to impeach Waiguru yet to reach Speaker Muturi

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru at a past event. National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi says he has not yet received a court order that barred MPs from debating a motion to impeach her. FILE PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Both the Senate and the National Assembly have in the past defied court orders.
  • Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo is backing a motion by Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter to remove the Cabinet secretary.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi on Tuesday said he had not yet received an order barring impeachment proceedings Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru but bristled at the idea that the Judiciary could stop Parliament from doing its job.

Mr Muturi was reacting to an inquiry from Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo, who is backing a motion by Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter to remove the Cabinet secretary, on whether the motion would proceed in light of the order.

“I’m not aware of any motion since I haven’t seen any,” said Mr Muturi after an address by visiting Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.

“The way to impeach someone is through a motion. The one being debated in the media and the purported orders I haven’t seen.”

Both the Senate and the National Assembly have defied court orders in the past.

Mr Maanzo said because Parliament had started the process and the matter was “live”, it would be improper for the courts to attempt to stop it.

Mr Muturi said Parliament would not be stopped from doing its job by the Judiciary.