By Martin Mutua
Parliament stood its ground that attempts to frustrate debate on President Kibakiâs contentious reappointment of Justice Aaron Ringera amounted to usurping its powers.
Setting the stage for confrontation with the Executive, Parliament defended its turf, and appeared to lay the ground for adopting a report by House committees, rejecting the reappointment of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission directors and assistant directors.
If the report were adopted, the ball would shift to Kibaki. It would be up to him to negotiate with Parliament, rescind the appointment, or face the prospect of the anti-graft body being disbanded.
Kibaki could, on the other hand, ask Ringera to step aside to save him further embarrassment, and to protect the dignity of the presidency. Ringera could also choose to resign.
In effect the House, following the eagerly awaited ruling by the Speaker Kenneth Marende, inched closer to a threat by some of its members last week, that they could cripple KACC if Kibaki does not rescind his decision.
"I rule that notwithstanding any of the provisions of Standing Order 80(1) to 80 (4), I hereby allow debate on the report of the joint sittings of the departmental committees," said Marende.
Speakerâs ruling
Marende was ruling on Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzoâs demand last week that he gives direction on what he said was Parliamentâs act of sub judice. The minister said debate should not proceed before cases seeking to block renewal of Ringeraâs contract were determined.
Backbenchers applauded Marende when he delivered a nine-page ruling that the sub judice rule could not stop Parliament from deliberating on Ringeraâs reappointment, as the matter had attracted great public interest.
Following the ruling a report that was prepared by two departmental committees â that of Delegated Legislation headed by Nominated MP Amina Abdalla and Administration of Justice led by Mandera Central MP Abdikadir
