Legislative Clash: National Assembly and Senate Clash on Law Passage
The Senate accuses the National Assembly of passing laws without its input, adding that it has been difficult for the two chambers to reach a legislative consensus.
The court was informed that Speakers Moses Wetangula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate), along with the technical staff, had attempted to reach an agreement on the issue of passing laws.
The Senate’s attorney, Okongo Omogeni, cited the Finance Bill, which, according to him, was enacted without Senate input.
Omogeni argued that if parties are unable to agree on the interpretation of the Constitution, only the Supreme Court can provide a binding interpretation.
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The Senate appealed with the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that reinstated 23 laws without the senator’s input. Senate expresses displeasure with the High Court’s conclusion that it was an error for any measure published by either chamber to be subject to the concurrence procedure.
The National Assembly, represented by attorney Issa Mansur, requested sixty days, asserting that there is goodwill between the two speakers and that a process is underway to resolve the disputes between the two chambers.
“I believe we will have something to report when we return… “There has been progress,” said Issa.
Katiba Institute, through its attorney Dudley Ochiel, petitioned the court to hear the case immediately, blaming the delay on the two houses.
“The joint framework is nothing new…it was commanded by the court that they come up with a joint framework…there is no reason to delay the hearing of this case…It is merely a ploy to drive us further,” Dudley stated.
The Supreme Court ordered the parties to continue negotiations, adding that if no agreement is reached by September 11, it will proceed to hear the case.
Legislative Clash: National Assembly and Senate Clash on Law Passage
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