The High Court in Eldoret has ordered the immediate closure of the Uasin Gishu County Assembly until a case filed by Kimutai Kirui, a human rights activist, is heard and determined.
In his petition, Kirui argued that the composition of the county assembly did not meet the required two-thirds gender rule.
Further, Kirui said the female representatives in the County assembly were removed from their positions one month ago by the court.
“There are no female voices in the county assembly, now those who should have been gazetted have not been confirmed until today. That is why we went to court,” said Kirui.
Further, he stated that no services will be offered at the assembly during the closure since all sittings have been suspended by the court.
Additionally, Kirui explained that he is not sure of how long this closure will last since it is dependent on the case and court ruling.
“If in the next fifteen days, we shall not have been given a permanent injunction so that the assembly can stay until the case is heard, it will take a long time.
That is a discussion of the court depending on how the assembly will file their submission and the court decide whether to give a relief or not,” Kirui noted in a press interview with a local media house.
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Moreover, the lawyer urged President William Ruto to take over some critical services of the Uasin Gishu county government arguing that the government has failed in performing its duties.
“We appeal to the national government to take over essential services like health, water and fire like it happened during the reign of Mike Sonko as Nairobi Governor until the court makes a decision to reopen the county assembly,” stated Kirui.
In addition, Kirui explained that he is not taking political sides and is purely guided by the Constitution.
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“We elect leaders to represent us not to be a burden to us, we want a government of laws not a government of men. We have been having men in government but now we want laws in government,” said Kirui.
Furthermore, he said the laws should equally apply to the local citizens and politicians without any form of discrimination.
Also, he noted that the country is headed in the right direction in terms of abiding by the law since the 2010 Constitution has given the citizens a lot of power.
