Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi on Thursday, September 24, issued President Uhuru Kenyatta with an ultimatum on the dissolution of Parliament.
In a press briefing, Havi stated that the president would be in violation of the constitution should he fail to dissolve Parliament on or before the October 12, 2020.
"A by-election is to be held within 90 days of dissolution of Parliament as provided for under title 101, sub-article 4, paragraph B of the Constitution of Kenya. The MPs elected in the by-election shall serve until the next general election in August 2022," Havi stated.
If Parliament was not dissolved, Havi stated that LSK would ask Treasury CS Ukur Yattani to cease the remittance of MPs salaries on October 12, 2020.
Additionally, the body would ask Interior CS Fred Matiang'i to withdraw their security when the deadline lapses.
Havi explained that LSK would also write to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, European Union, African Union, the East African Community and other international and regional agencies and tell them not to transact business that require parliamentary approval with the Republic of Kenya.
"This is a grave matter, but it must be undertaken here and now for there to be adherence to the rule of law and constitutionalism," Havi stated.
The LSK president pointed out that there had been a continued disregard of the Constitution of Kenya and the rule of law by elected leaders in the country.
"The Law Society of Kenya shall lead the people of Kenya to occupy Parliament effective October 12, 2020, until a by-election is held should the people's elected representatives in the 12th parliament, persist in impunity," he warned.
Havi's statement came days after Chief Justice David Maraga wrote to the President, asking him to dissolve Parliament for failing to enforce the two-thirds gender rule.
The six petitioners involved in the decision include Margret Toili, Fredrick Gichanga Mbugua'h, Steven Owoko, Aoko Bernard, David Sudi and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
"Your Excellency, "the two-thirds gender rule" is an acronym for the constitutional imperative which prohibits any form of discrimination in the appointive and elective positions in our country on the basis of one's gender," read Maraga's letter in part.
