Activist Okiya Omtatah on Monday moved to the High Court to challenge the appointment of nominated Jubilee Senator Beth Mugo and Eldas MP Adan Keynan to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
In his petition, Omtatah stated that Mugo who is President Uhuru Kenyatta's cousin and the Eldas Mp had already served their mandatory term of five years.
“No provision in the Constitution allows any PSC commissioners to serve for more than five years and having been in the previous PSC, their nomination and subsequent approval to serve beyond five years was unconstitutional, invalid, null and void,” he stated.
[caption caption="President Uhuru and Beth Mugo"]
[/caption]
The petition threatens to paralyse the operations of the parliamentary committee with Omtatah accusing parliament of failing to respect the constitution.
The vocal activist wants Mugo and Keynan to be temporarily suspended from sitting in the PSC until the case is heard and determined.
“It is of utmost importance that the decision to approve the nomination of Senator Mugo and Keynan be suspended to protect constitutionalism, the rule of law and public interest,” he added.
In the documents, Omtatah explained that the appointment of the two was in violation of the constitution adding that the public would suffer.
He further stated that the Jubilee party had many people whom it could have nominated in place of Mugo and Keynan who had already served their terms.
Omtatah stated that his petition was not politically motivated but rather a move to ensure the rule of law is obeyed in parliamentary appointments.
Earlier last week, Parliament approved the appointees for the PSC where the Jubilee Party also nominated Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Taveta MP Naomi Shaban
[caption caption="Okiya Omtatah"]
[/caption]
The National Super Alliance (NASA) dropped Homa Bay legislator Gladys Wanga from the Commission.
In a motion debated in Parliament on Thursday, NASA picked Vihiga Senator George Khaniri and Malindi Member of Parliament Aisha Jumwa to join Borabu MP Ben Momanyi in the PSC.
During the nomination debate, House Leader of Majority Aden Duale cautioned the opposition lawmakers who were nominated to the PSC against bringing party politics to the committee.
