Raila's Appeal to Uhuru After Maraga's Parliament Dissolution Advisory

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) addresses the press at Capitol Hill on Thursday, August 27, 2020, as Robert Njura looks on.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) addresses the press at Capitol Hill on Thursday, August 27, 2020, as Robert Njura looks on.
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Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday, September 23, broke his silence after Chief Justice David Maraga advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve Parliament. 

Maraga wrote to Uhuru on Monday, September 21 asking him to dissolve Parliament for failing to enforce the two-thirds gender rule.

In response to Maraga's advisory, Raila called for patience from the President as he engages in wide consultations on the contentious issue.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Chief Justice David Maraga
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Chief Justice David Maraga
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"I appeal to the President to consult as widely as possible before taking any action on this matter and ensure that the overall interests of the people are served by any action he finally decides to take.

"In circumstances where institutions have failed as is the case with Parliament currently, the Constitution gives power to citizens to act directly and not through their elected representatives to have their aspirations realised," read his statement in part.

Raila admitted that the advisory placed the country and the people of Kenya in a precarious constitutional and political situation that will require careful deliberation before any action is taken.

The ODM Party leader noted that the ramifications to the country in dissolving one of the arms of Government could have adverse consequences in the life of the nation and its people.

Raila, however, stated that dissolution of Parliament was not a clear plan of solving the two-thirds gender rule that is enshrined in the constitution. 

Maraga's letter has ushered the country into circumstances that require a consensus on the way forward, according to The EU special envoy.

Deputy President William Ruto also on Wednesday also broke his silence on Maraga's advice to Uhuru noting that women should be equally included in every sector alongside the youth and other marginalised groups.

The President is however yet to release a statement on the issue with calls growing on him to act after Maraga's letter.

Deputy President William Ruto, President Uhuru Kenyatta and AU Infrastructure envoy Raila Odinga in Karen on November 2, 2018.
Deputy President William Ruto, President Uhuru Kenyatta and AU Infrastructure envoy Raila Odinga in Karen on November 2, 2018.
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