National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has issued a stern warning to the Judiciary, cautioning it against interfering with Parliament’s constitutional mandate, particularly in the ongoing vetting of nominees for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Addressing Members of Parliament on Thursday, Wetang’ula declared that the vetting process must proceed without hindrance, despite recent court interventions that temporarily halted the exercise.
“I direct the committee to proceed without haste and vet the nominees and chairman for IEBC and bring the report to this House,” Wetang’ula said, referring to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), which is spearheading the process.
His comments came just after the High Court lifted an earlier suspension following a petition challenging the vetting process.
The petition had sparked a heated debate within the House, with Minority Leader Junet Mohammed accusing the Judiciary of attempting to stifle parliamentary independence.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetangula
“If you want to inhibit Parliament before they do their work, Parliament will not be able to operate in this country,” Junet warned, a sentiment that Wetang’ula strongly echoed.
The Speaker emphasized that Parliament’s authority must not be undermined, noting that once a matter is seized by Parliament—either in plenary or committee—it falls within its exclusive jurisdiction.
“There is a communication in the offing to set a precedent. But for avoidance of doubt, nobody has the power under any law to injunct Parliament from doing its work,” Wetang’ula stated.
To de-escalate future tensions, Wetang’ula revealed he had communicated with Chief Justice Martha Koome. He also clarified that legal challenges to the vetting process can only be made after Parliament completes its work.
Moses Wetangula, addresses the crowd during a past function
Following the Speaker’s directive, JLAC is set to vet IEBC chair nominee Erastus Edung Ethekon and commissioner nominees Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla.
Wetang’ula’s remarks underscore a growing concern among lawmakers over perceived judicial encroachment, signaling a potential constitutional standoff between the arms of government.