By Standard Team

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has scoffed at a move by Internal Security Ministry to appeal a High court ruling declaring the appointment of the County Commissioners illegal.

Raila faulted acting Internal Security Minister Yusuf Haji for appealing the ruling even when both Attorney General Githu Muigai and Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa were opposed to it.

“The Government is appealing the ruling and the Prime Minister is not aware. That is nonsense,” declared the ODM Party leader.

He said according to the Constitution, the restructuring of the Provincial Administration should be undertaken after the next General Election.

Against the law

Raila insisted the County Commissioners cannot work without Governors, adding that the National Government that should restructure the Provincial Administration is not yet in place.

He maintained that the restructuring of the Provincial Administration should be done after devolve Government system is up and running and not vice versa.

The PM was speaking during the Orange Young Democrats League convention at Bomas in Nairobi on Friday.

The PM hit out at people he claimed are against devolution, saying the same were against the new law during referendum.

But Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi supported the appeal, saying the acting Internal Security minister did the right thing.

He said it is common for clients to disagree with their advocates after a court rules on a case.

Second opinion

“In this case, Government decided to seek a second opinion, which is within its rights,” said Kiraitu.

He said Haji, who is also the Defence minister, is guided by what the Government believes about the County Commissioners.

“The Government’s stand is that the positions of County Commissioners are not any different from those of the regional commissioners they replaced,” said the minister.

He said there were attempts by certain politicians and individuals to try to paint the minister as disobeying the law.

Meanwhile, two activists want the High Court to order Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo to file in court a confirmation of a compliance with a directive that declared County Commissioners illegal.

Report by Felix Olick, Steve Mkawale and Judy Ogutu