The National Assembly has extended the ongoing public participation on the impeachment motion of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to Saturday.
This is after the High Court sitting in Kerugoya on Friday ordered the National Assembly to carry out the collection of public views across the 290 constituencies as opposed to counties.
In a notice issued on Friday soon after the ruling by Justice Richard Mwongo, Clerk of the National Assembly S. Njoroge said that the ongoing public participation exercise had been extended to Saturday October 5, 2024.
“Further to the public participation exercise which commenced on October 2, 2024 and the collection of views across the venues and constituency/county women representative offices on October 4, 2014, the 290 constituency officers and the 47 county women representative offices of all members of the National Assembly, which are offices under the Parliamentary Service Commission, shall remain open on Saturday October 5, 2024 from 8am to 5pm to facilitate further public participation on the special motion,” Njoroge said.
In his ruling challenging the ongoing collection of views of members of the public on the impeachment motion, justice Mwongo, argued that the public hearing scheduled for today (October 4) may proceed as a first stage but the respondents in the case to organize similar public hearings for citizens at least at the constituency level.
- Court: Seek public views on Gachagua from constituencies
- Parliament to hold public participation on Gachagua impeachment
He made the ruling even as the National Assembly on Friday conducted the public participation on the impeachment of Gachagua in 47 centres in all counties.
In his ruling, the judge said that conducting the exercise in constituencies will enable constituents of members of Parliament responsible for the impeachment process nationally to engage with and participate in hearings by which citizens at that level can participate and offer their representations.
The Judge in issuing the order referred to Supreme Court decisions that have been the guiding principle when it comes to meaningful public participation.
The outcome of these decisions is that public participation must be genuine and accompanied by reasonable notice.
The matter which was certified as urgent was filed by Kirinyaga Women Rep Jane Njeri Maina. The MP has sued the Senate, National Assembly and others.
The judge directed the MP to serve the respondents with the papers ahead of a mention date on Friday next week when the court will issue further directions in the case.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
