{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Cough, cough!!!! Jubilee senators in dilemma over laws - Politics - nation.co.ke
|
7:28 AM |
No comments |
Jubilee senators in dilemma over laws - Politics
More by this Author
More by this Author
Jubilee senators are in a catch-22 situation ahead of Tuesday's special sitting to discuss possible suspension of the new security laws.
One of the reasons the opponents of the Security Laws Amendment Act want it suspended is that the entire process of preparing, passing and enactment into law sidelined the Senate, which is against the Constitution.
Thus, Jubilee senators are torn between supporting the government position on the 22 laws or siding with the Senate, which is protesting its exclusion from the process.
Because the laws were passed without the input from the 67-member House, senators will be expected to push for the Act to be taken back to Parliament or declared unconstitutional.
However, Jubilee senators will be seen to be disobeying their coalition by taking the same position as Cord.
"It will be interesting to see how things go," said Senator Billow Kerrow.
While Cord senators have the easy task of arguing the Act is unconstitutional, their Jubilee counterparts will have a rough time, Mr Kerrow told the Nation on Monday.
"There are some, and I am one of those, who feel the new 22 laws should have come through the Senate since they touch on counties," he added.
Before the debate, Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro is expected to state whether the Senate should discuss a matter that is in court.
Cord has challenged the laws in court and is seeking their suspension, arguing that the process lacked public participation as required by law.
Deputy Majority Leader Charles Keter indicated this would be the first objection to the motion at the sitting called at the request of Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula.
Nominated Senator Beth Mugo urged her Jubilee colleagues to attend the sitting.
"If we don't go we will be giving Cord a chance to make resolutions which will not be representative of Jubilee," she said.
Senator Omar Hassan (Mombasa, Wiper) said it was important that all senators stand with the Senate.
0 comments:
Post a Comment