Nyaribari Masaba Member of Parliament Daniel Manduku has called on President William Ruto to dissolve Parliament.
In a statement on Thursday, June 27, Manduku said widespread anti-finance bill protests and the invasion of parliament by demonstrators revealed a significant loss of public trust in Parliament and the government.
“Under Article 261(7) of the Kenyan Constitution, the President has the authority to dissolve Parliament if it fails to fulfill its constitutional mandate. The recent invasion and defilement of Parliament signify a failure of the institution to maintain order, respect, and public trust.
“While Article 261(7) primarily addresses legislative delays, its underlying principle supports the dissolution of a Parliament that has lost public confidence and failed in its core responsibilities,’ read the statement in part.
The ODM MP also urged President Ruto to reconstitute his cabinet and appoint competent leaders who will govern the country effectively.
“Given the prevailing public discontent, reconstituting the Cabinet is essential to restore governance effectiveness and public confidence. Reconstituting the Cabinet should involve appointing new leaders capable of addressing the current crises and rebuilding public trust in the government’s ability to govern justly and effectively,” Manduku stated.
He further said the international community should be invited to oversee fresh elections within 90 days to restore democratic integrity and public confidence since the IEBC is not properly constituted.
Manduku argued that involvement of the international community particularly the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in the electoral process, aligning with Kenya’s obligations under various international treaties and conventions promoting democratic governance and human rights.
This comes after President Ruto declined to sign the controversial Finance Bill 2024 into law and directed that it be withdrawn in the National Assembly.
On Tuesday, protests were witnessed across major towns and cities in the country resulting in loss of lives, numerous injuries, and destruction of property.
