Consult as widely as possible, Raila tells Uhuru on Maragas advisory

ODM leader Raila Odinga has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to consult widely before taking action on Chief Justice David Maraga’s advisory to dissolve Parliament for failing to enact the two-thirds gender rule.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mr. Odinga indirectly proposed the matter be among issues to be subjected to a referendum for the electorate to make a decision, saying that a consensus on the matter was required.

“In circumstances where institutions have failed as is the case with Parliament currently, the Constitution gives power to citizens to act directly and not through their elected representatives to have their aspirations realized.

I appeal to the President to consult as widely as possible before taking any action on this matter and ensure that the overall interests of the people is served by any action he finally decides to take,” said Mr. Odinga.

The former prime minister pointed out that the advisory from the Chief Justice has “placed the country and the people of Kenya in a precarious constitutional and political situation that will require careful deliberation before any action is taken.”

“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,” he said.

“The country has been thrown into this situation because of failure by Parliament to enact the two-third gender rule as provided for in the Constitution. However, it remains unclear how the dissolution of Parliament would resolve the problem.”

Meanwhile, two citizens have moved to the High Court to contest the Chief Justice’s advice to the President to dissolve Parliament.

The duo; Leina Konchela and Abdula Munsar, wants the advisory quashed terming it “unreasonable, irrational and irresponsible” while questioning its implementation.