By Peter Ochieng
Nyaribari Masaba Member of Parliament (MP) Daniel Manduku has urged President Wiliam Ruto to dissolve Parliament.
Kenya has a bicameral Parliamentary system, consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly.
Manduku, elected on the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party said Parliament should be dissolved after protestors overpowered police and ‘Occupied Parliament’ on Tuesday, in one of the rare occurrences in the history of the Country.
“It is imperative for the President to dissolve Parliament, reconstitute his Cabinet. The recent invasion and defilement of Parliament signify a failure of the institution to maintain order, respect, and public trust,” the MP told the press in Kisii on Thursday.
Only fresh elections in 90 days, the legislature added, will restore democratic integrity and public confidence.
Kenya’s President has the authority to dissolve Parliament if it fails to fulfill its constitutional mandate, under Article 261(7) of the Kenyan Constitution.
Observers say that protestors invaded Parliament, after MPs failed to heed to the public demands not to pass the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.
Meanwhile, Turkana Central MP Joseph Namuar, elected on the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has apologised to his constituents for voting in support of the now-withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024.
He pleaded with his constituents for their pardon, after voting in favour of the Bill, lauding the Head of State for refusing to assent to the piece of legislation.
“I laud him for the leadership he has exhibited to show Kenyans that he can listen to their views. If there is a way, we did wrong for those of us who voted YES, we ask for your forgiveness. As your (Ruto) foot soldiers, we ask for forgiveness on your behalf.”
On Wednesday, Deputy President Rigathi Gacahgua urged Kenyans to forgive Members of Parliament who voted in favour of the Bill.
“Should anyone have a problem with a Member of Parliament because of the decision that he or she has made, you’ll have an opportunity to express your displeasure in the next general elections,” he said.
Some legislatures, among them Molo’s Kimani Kuria, Majority Leader in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah and Kieni’s Anthony Wainaina Njoroge, are counting losses running into millions of shillings, after their properties were torched for supporting the controversial Bill.