Governors have declared they will move to the Supreme Court should President Uhuru Kenyatta assent to the Bill on flags and titles passed by the National Assembly.
Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto Saturday asked the President not to assent to the Bill that denies governors the right to fly flags and use of specific titles saying it would not only be unconstitutional but also unpatriotic.
“If the Bill is assented to, then I can assure you that the governors will not only move to court to challenge its constitutionality but there is a window for county assemblies to pass laws that would allow governors to fly flags within their counties,” he noted.
The Bomet Governor accused MPs of passing retrogressive laws.
“From where am seated, I may not be surprised to see these MPs soon passing laws denying Kenyans from singing the National Anthem,” he said.
He added that if the President assented to the Bill, it would be clear indication that his government was out to take away the gains of devolution that Kenyans were already enjoying at the grassroots level.
NATIONAL DIALOGUE
Speaking during his inspection tour of development projects in Konoin in Bomet County, the governor called on the Jubilee coalition of which he is a key member to listen to the concerns raised by the Cord coalition as relates to governance.
“The calls for dialogue between the ruling elite and the opposition should not be dismissed wholesale. It is important for leaders of various political divides at the national level to consult on various issues of national importance and chart a common front of resolving them,” Mr Ruto stated.
Mr Ruto, however, cautioned the Cord coalition against stirring unrest in the country while playing the role of the opposition whose function is to check on excesses of government of the day.
“The fact that we belong to different political parties and persuasions should not be a reason for us not to consult on matters affecting the country. We should be patriotic as leaders so as to inspire the same on Kenyans of all shades,” he said.
He also noted that it was important for the country to repeal election laws so that presidential candidates who lose elections are not left idle for five years.
“We have to keep them busy and use their expertise in various fields,” he noted.
The move, he said, would ensure that presidential candidates continue to contribute in legislative process and development in the country.
“Presidential candidates should in future be allowed to contest both the senatorial and parliamentary seats in the country and that those vying for the gubernatorial slots should also be allowed to contest for the ward representative seats,” he remarked.
Source-nation.co.ke
Idleness? Governors to Move to Court Over Flags Law-Ruto
Idleness? Governors to Move to Court Over Flags Law-Ruto
