Respect House oversight powers, Justin Muturi tells judges

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi (left) and Lamu Port Stakeholders Steering Committee Chairman Abdalla Fadhil in Lamu at the weekend. [Photo: Maarufu Mohamed/Standard]

By Awadh Babo

Kenya: National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has asked various arms of Government to respect the principle of separation of powers.

He said each of the three key state organs namely Judiciary, Executive and Parliament have separate functions as spelt out in the Constitution.

He added the National Assembly’s work is to carry out oversight role of the other institutions, which operate under the three arms of the Government.

Mr Muturi specifically called on the Judiciary to be sober when giving constitutional rulings by ensuring any decision made by the courts does not interfere with the mandates given to other State organs.

He was speaking in Lamu town at the weekend during the launch of the Lamu County Assembly Strategic Plan 2014-2018, which the county government said would guide it in its development agenda and the commitment to actualise devolution as envisaged by the Constitution.

“Separation of powers calls for the strengthening of economic, social, cultural, political and technological objectives, which are imperative for the success of implementing the Constitution to achieve the democratic pursuits,” he said.

Muturi expressed concern over recent court rulings, which have sought to interfere with some of operations of committees of the National Assembly. 

“It should be clearly understood that Parliament cannot be subjected to court rulings because the Constitution calls for the separation of powers and I am urging all County assemblies to follow the precedents set by the National Assembly by not allowing other State organs to interfere with their oversight and legislative functions,” said Muturi.

Accountability

He called upon the Judiciary to stick to their work of interpreting the law and respect the Constitution and mandate of the assemblies to carry out their oversight and investigative roles.

Present during the function was the Speaker of Lamu County Assembly Mohamed Hashim, Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy, Woman Representative Sahkila Abdalla, Lamu East MP Shariff Abdalla and a representative from USAID Kenya.

Hashim said delivery of service is very critical to the people of Lamu and the strategies set in the plan prescribe that work must be delivered in responsive and accountable manner to the people.