MPs-elect meet over boycott proposal

MPs-elect will today meet to decide whether to attend or snub Thursday's swearing-in ceremony.

The National Super Alliance (NASA) last week accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of acting in bad faith by convening the first sitting of the bicameral Parliament while a petition challenging his re-election had yet to be determined by the Supreme Court judges.

Last Thursday, the coalition failed to agree on the matter. Yesterday, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni) and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi said today's meeting will provide the way forward.

"There is a Parliamentary Group meeting tomorrow (today) to give the way forward," said Mr Wandayi.

But ODM chairman John Mbadi said the agreement from last week's meeting was to have NASA principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and Moses Wetang'ula provide direction.

Provide direction

"Snubbing the sitting is an option owing to the complication of the ceremony," he said.

NASA has 103 constituency MPs and 16 woman representatives while Jubilee has 139 MPs and 25 woman representatives. In the Senate, NASA has 18 members against Jubilee's 25.

Jubilee and NASA are on a collision path over the matter, with the former daring the Opposition to skip the event.

Outgoing Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale said the sitting would go on with or without the Opposition.

Mr Duale argues that Uhuru is the incumbent and has the right to convene the first sitting, stating that he will cease to be the Head of State when a new president is sworn in.

"No vacuum exists in the Office of the President. Uhuru Kenyatta continues to hold office until the next person elected is sworn in, in accordance with Article 142 (1) of the Constitution," he said.