Court ‘overturns’ Muturi’s suspension of MP Opiyo Wandayi

The High Court has temporarily lifted National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi’s decision suspending Ugunja Member of Parliament Opiyo Wandayi from the House.

Muturi had suspended the legislator from the House for the remaining period of the term and denied him access to Parliament buildings after he (Wandayi) led opposition lawmakers in booing the President during his State of the Nation Address on March 31^st, 2016.

The ruling by Justice George Odunga means the legislator will continue with his mandate of representing the people of Ugunja in Parliament until the case is heard and concluded.

The court ruled that the decision by Speaker Muturi to bar the MP from accessing Parliament deprives the people of Ugunja their right to be represented in the National Assembly.

“When one organ of the state violates the Constitution, the court will not remain silent,” ruled Justice Odunga.

The respondents had argued that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter citing the Separation of Powers.

Wandanyi moved to court to challenge the decision by Muturi saying that it was unconstitutional and that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself.

He claimed that all attempts to explore internal measures in order to get justice had been frustrated.

Kenya National Assembly, Speaker of the Assembly and the Attorney General were named as respondents in the petition.