Civil society wants Parliament dissolved
Alvin Mwangi @PeopleDailyKe
A civil society group wants Parliament dissolved following its failure to initiate implementation of constitutional provisions that would ensure gender balance in both levels of government.
United Green Movement (UGM) has since petitioned Chief Justice David Maraga to advise the President to dissolve the National Assembly.
Speaking yesterday, UGM Party leader Hamiza Zaja, said the Judiciary has one of the biggest roles to play as a third arm of the government.
“As a party we are concerned that the Judiciary has remained silent when Parliament continues to breach the Constitution.
We are appealing to Maraga to advise the President accordingly, failure to which we will take our demands to his office,” said Zaja.
Section 27 of the Constitution requires both levels of government to ensure that neither gender has more than two thirds of public officers, whether elected or appointed.
In 2012, the Supreme Court advised that the constitutional provisions on gender balance in government be implemented for the 2013 General Election.
High Court in 2017 also ordered Parliament to craft laws that would enable implementation of the two-thirds gender rule.
Order followed a case filed by the Centre for Rights and Education and Awareness.
Government appealed through the Attorney-General’s office. However, Court of Appeal dismissed the AG’s case last April.
Law Society of Kenya has also weighed in on the matter, saying Parliament has deliberately refused to initiate the gender balance process.
