“Consult Widely before taking an Action over Maraga’s Advice,” Raila tells the President

Former Prime Minister Hon. Raila Odinga has advised the president to consult widely about the petition filed by Chief Justice David Maraga seeking dissolution of the parliament for failing to embrace two-third gender rule before taking informed action.

Mr. Odinga issued his statement in regards to the matter on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, when he also indirectly proposed the need to include the matter to a referendum to allow the electorate to make a decision. He added that the matter is critical and may require a consensus.

Mr. Odinga said that Chief Justice’s advisory to the president hints on a constitutional failure circumstance. In that regard, he said that there is no otherwise but to allow the citizens to exercise their sovereign power by deciding over the matter on a referendum.

Part of his statement reads, “There are numerous ramifications to the country and the people of Kenya in dissolving one of the arms of Government which if not mitigated sufficiently could have adverse consequences in the life of the nation and its people.”

The former prime minister elaborated his statement by saying that the advisory by Maraga has posed a precarious political and constitution situation that requires a deliberate but careful decision.

However, political analysis says that Odinga’s statement does not come by a surprise following the already established base for a referendum through the Building Bridge Initiative plan.

Maraga’s advisory note has attracted controversial opinions from both the political and non-political class. The call to dissolve the parliament has been opposed strongly by members of the National Assembly where the center of the matter lies, terming it premature and ill-intend.

While speaking to Citizen Television yesterday night through the JKL program, Senators Johnston Sakaja and Mutula Kilonzo Junior of Nairobi and Makueni Counties respectively also opposed Maraga’s advise.

Will the president dissolve the 12th parliament as advised by the Chief Justice? Only time will tell.