National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has urged for fairness and consistency in the interactions between the Judiciary, civil society, and development partners with Parliament.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual High Court Human Rights Summit in Nairobi, Wetangula emphasized Parliament’s steadfast dedication to the rule of law, encouraging the Judiciary to take a balanced stance when evaluating Bills and other legal documents.
The Speaker highlighted Parliament’s active involvement in advancing human rights, referencing ongoing legislative efforts such as the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2023, which aims to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities as outlined in Article 54 of the Constitution.
“Parliament is committed to following the constitution and will always comply with court decisions; the weighing scale and blindfold symbolize the Judiciary’s duty to objectivity and fair evaluation of evidence, while the sword signifies the importance of enforcing and respecting court rulings,” Wetangula stated.
He mentioned that Parliamentary Committees are presently probing allegations of human rights abuses, including incidents related to the British Army Training Unit in Nanyuki and the historical disposal of toxic waste in northern Kenya, among various other matters.
Wetangula praised the Judiciary for its unwavering commitment to preserving the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, noting that for the past 14 years, the Judiciary has reliably guided the nation along the constitutional path envisioned by the drafters of our Constitution.
The National Assembly Speaker expressed appreciation to the Summit organizers for facilitating discussions among essential stakeholders, which include legal professionals, civil society members, and development partners.
The Annual Summit provides a forum for stakeholders to discuss critical matters concerning justice, human rights, and governance, with this year’s focus on fostering cooperation among institutions to strengthen the enforcement of human rights laws and constitutional principles.
“I take pride in being among the few in the top leadership of this country who have had the opportunity to serve across all three branches of government; I have worked in the judiciary, been part of the executive as a Cabinet Minister, and spent many years in the legislature,” Wetangula remarked.
The Speaker informed the gathering that from his Law School class of 45 at the University of Nairobi, 23 individuals have taken on roles as judges, noting that his class also produced Attorney General Justin Muturi, who previously held the position of National Assembly Speaker.
