Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi on Tuesday, September 22, cancelled a scheduled interview on Citizen TV over what he termed as the quality of panelists.
The lawyer was set to appear on DayBreak on Wednesday, September 23, morning alongside Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni Wamuchomba and former magistrate Joy Mdivo.
Havi conclusively stated that he would not appear on the panel stating that the matter on the dissolution of parliament required a panel of senior officials.
"I have notified Citizen TV to bring Speaker of National Assembly Justin Muturi or someone of similar status from the National Assembly and/or Senate to debate with me on the dissolution of Parliament. This is a grave matter not to be belittled," he stated.
The show, however, aired as scheduled hosted by Trevor Ombija with lawyer Steve Ogolla stepping in Havi's place.
Wamuchomba who is also the chair of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) did not appear for the interview.
Ogolla opined that the directive by the Chief Justice to dissolve Parliament would be reversed by the High Court for altering the process of dissolution.
"Parliament has failed and ought to have been dissolved but not in the manner suggested by the CJ. The CJ ought to have made an admission that 3 years was too long to wait.
"He failed in his constitutional duty to advise the President after 14 days of Parliament’s failure. The advice coming now ought to have been rendered in 2017," he argued.
On his part, the Kiminini MP stated that the advisory by CJ David Maraga was coming at the wrong time.
"Nowhere in the world has the two-thirds gender requirement been achieved. It is very difficult, Kenyans have a right to vote for anybody of their wish, you can not dictate to Kenyans that they must vote for a woman to sit here and there," Wamalwa stated.
Former magistrate Joy Mdivo observed that the Judiciary was in a difficult position as it was in a situation where the institution's actions are linked to fighting the Executive.
"The CJ realises that he’s going home in the next three months, as far as I’m concerned he’s just ticking a box. He’s not even interested in whether or not his advisory will be acted on. But it has gone on record that he issued it," she stated.
