MPs back appeal in county commissioners case

Three MPs have thrown their weight behind an appeal lodged by Defence minister Yusuf Haji against a court ruling blocking the appointment of 47 county commissioners.

The MPs, who included Medical Services assistant minister Kambi Kazungu, asked Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa and Attorney-General Githu Muigai to stop commenting on matters that were in court.

Adan Keynan and Fred Kapondi, who chair the Defence and Foreign Relations and the Administration and National Security committees respectively, warned that any attempts to politicise or ethnicise security appointments could jeopardise national security.

Addressing a Press conference at Parliament Buildings Wednesday, the legislators said the security of the country should be the duty of the national government and urged the President and the Prime Minister to speak with one voice on matters concerning the safety of Kenyans.

They faulted the move by government officials to comment on the issue of appealing against the court ruling made by Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi on June 29, which quashed the appointments of the county commissioners by the President.

“Every Kenyan has the right to petition a court ruling if they feel aggrieved. What is the hullabaloo with this particular appeal?” asked Keynan.

On Saturday, Mr Odinga criticised the move by Mr Haji to move back to court, seeking to reverse the court order.

Both Mr Wamalwa and Prof Muigai advised the government against appealing against the ruling, which stated that the appointments were not consultative and did not meet the one-third gender requirement.

Mr Kapondi, who is also the Mt Elgon MP, criticised Dr Mutunga over remarks he had made in Malindi on the appointment of the commissioners.

“Speaking on the matter even before it went to court was like prejudging the outcome of the case which was affirmed on 29th June,” said Mr Kapondi