Nairobi, KENYA: The 11th National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale has blasted the National Super Alliance for telling their legislators to boycott the swearing in ceremony and the election of speakers of the two houses ,following president Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to call the 12th parliament.
In a media briefing at parliamentary buildings, Duale slammed NASA’s mps move, terming it as a way of undermining the constitution indicating that no vacuum exists in the office of the president .
“His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta continues to hold office until the person next elected president is sworn in as per (article 142 (1) of the constitution of Kenya.”Duale said.
“Issuing the notice of the first sitting in the twelfth parliament ,his excellency the president ,responsibly exercised his constitutional obligations conferred upon him 126(2).”Duale added.
He indicated that supreme court has no association whatsoever with the operations and functions of parliament and there is need to enhance the ability to entrench principle of separation of powers.
He pointed that unless members of parliament are sworn in, they will not enjoy the benefits that a accrue a parliamentary legislator, vowing that the swearing in will go on as planned.
He added that NASA’s move is an attempt of destabilizing the work of the legislature.
This week ,President Uhuru Kenyatta , directed newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators to assemble in Parliament on August 31 when they will be sworn into office.
In a special issue of the Kenya gazette dated August 23, president Uhuru, in exercise of powers granted to him under Article 126(2) of the Constitution, summoned the first sitting of the 12th Parliament, where the members will elect their respective Speakers and Deputy Speakers.
