Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition allied MPs and lawyers representing four IEBC commissioners stormed out of the first hearing of petitions seeking to remove the latter from office.
The two parties left the hearing minutes after a brief boardroom meeting to determine whether or not JLAC had the jurisdiction to listen to the petitions.
The minority side in the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) left claiming unfair treatment by the Committee chair Tharaka Nithi MP George Gitonga Murugara.
JLAC unanimously voted that it has the authority to hear petitions seeking the expulsion of four IEBC commissioners.
“We have agreed not unanimously but through a majority that this committee is the most appropriate to hear the matter. We have relied on Article 251 of the Constitution and our own Standing Orders from 220, 223, and 230 which deal with how petitions are presented to the House and how they are processed,” said Gitonga.
According to Gitonga, the four petitioners, Reverend Dennis Ndwiga Nthumbi, the Republican Party, Geoffrey Langat, and Owuor Steve Gerry followed the laid out procedures.
“Petitions by the public are sent to the Clerk who when satisfied that it discloses possible grounds forwards it to the Speaker. They are then tabled in the House and allocated to the relevant committee. This is exactly what the petitioners did here,” he said.
Minority Leader Junet Mohamed said the decision was hurried and disowned it. He said, “We have not gotten enough time to discuss and digest the decision. A hurried decision was made and there was no proper voting.”
The lawyers representing IEBC deputy chairperson Juliana Cherera and commissioners Francis Mathenge, Irene Masit, and Justus Nyang’aya argue that Parliament should not have been the first point of call in the bid to remove them from office.
Advocate Jotham Arwa argues that JLAC has no jurisdiction to hear the petitions, arguing that the matter should have been referred to IEBC and to the Public Service Commission as required under 234 (2b).
“Mr Chairman it is a requirement of your own Standing Orders number 22 and 23 (f) that before petitions can be received they must indicate that they had referred the matter in question to the relevant body. Parliament should not be the first point of call,” said Arwa.
The four commissioners through their lawyers withdrew from the proceedings maintaining the committee has no jurisdiction.
“We believe that the committee has no jurisdiction and we feel that if the committee insists on going on, we will not be party to the process,” said Arwa.
Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords
We are building some fun puzzles to put your problem-solving skills to the test and we want you to have a blast while you're at it!
Share your email and we’ll serve up new puzzles with your morning coffee.
Do you want to help shape the features we prioritize? Take a Survey to help us understand what matters to you most
Begin SurveyAM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.
