Azimio MPs, Cherera Four's Lawyers Walk Out of Proceedings

Azimio La Umoja Leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua
Azimio La Umoja Leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua attend proceedings at JLAC on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
Nation/Twitter

Proceedings at the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) were, on Thursday, November 24, interrupted after Azimo La Umoja MPs caused chaos.

Led by Junet Mohammed, the lawmakers allied to Raila Odinga, raised preliminary objections, noting that it was illegal for the committee to discuss a matter that was already before the court. 

"Chair, these people who we are discussing do have the capacity to respond to the allegations," Junet lamented.

Kenyans.co.ke updated you on the inauguration on a minute-by-minute basis until the proceeding ended at 12:30. 

A collage image of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera addressing the media on August 15, 2022 (left).
A collage image of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera addressing the media on August 15, 2022 (left).
BBC/ Fredrick Omondi

3:12: Kenya Kwanza wing of JLAC membership continuous with the hearing against the four commissioners. 

1:15: Azimio La Umoja MPs led by Minority Leader Junet Mohammed and IEBC Commissioners' lawyers reject proceedings before Justice and Legal Affairs Committee. They have left County Hall in protest against Kenya Kwanza committee members.

1:10: Suna East Junet Mohammed claims that crucial documents are missing in the committee.

12:05: Junet moves a motion for the adjournment of the committee proceedings. The committee takes a break to discuss preliminary objections by commissioners' lawyers.

11:45: Committee is thrown into a streak of arguments after Lawyer Danstan Omari - who is representing Juliiana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyang’aya and Irene Masit - raises legal issues on the proceedings. 

"Chairman, we have preliminary objections to raise before the proceedings could commence," Omari requested.

11:30: Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang asks the chairman to call off the hearing until all pending preliminary objections are determined and ruled on.

"This process will be illegal if there is no fair hearing accorded to the accused persons," Kajwang warned.

10:40: Azimio La Umoja leaders, Raila Odinga and Martha Karua, arrive at Parliament for the hearing. 

This comes barely hours after Raila cancelled a planned media address on the plight of the four dissenting IEBC commissioners just days after the National Assembly began to hear a motion to remove them from office.

“To allow other processes currently underway with regard to summons to IEBC commissioners to proceed without prejudice, Raila Odinga will not address the subject as earlier announced. Our apologies for the cancellation,” Odinga’s communications director Dennis Onyango said in a subsequent statement.

10:30: The four commissioners fail to appear for the hearing and instead send their lawyers.

Last week, the National Assembly started removing the four Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners who disputed President William Ruto’s victory from office after the House received four petitions.

Former IEBC commissioners Wafula Chebukati and Juliana Cherera
Former IEBC commissioners Wafula Chebukati and Juliana Cherera at a past event
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