Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor’s parents buried as leaders clash on JSC saga

Mourners view the bodies of Nyakach MP Aduma Owour’s parents during the burial in Nyakach, yesterday.[PHOTOS: TITUS MUNALA/STANDARD]

By  KEVINE OMOLLO

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Leading Cord leaders have differed over suspension of six members of Judicial Service Commission (JSC) by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Yesterday, Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang supported the move to suspend the commissioners, while his Siaya counterpart James Orengo opposed the move. Earlier, Cord leader Raila Odinga had also faulted the President’s move.

Mr Kajwang’ said the Judiciary is in shambles and needs urgent reforms.

But Mr Orengo argued the suspension was unconstitutional.

“What Uhuru has done is a complete violation of the Constitution. The two arms are independent,” Orengo  said, adding that the Executive is interfering with the Judiciary.

On Friday, Raila criticised Uhuru’s move. He said the tribunal formed would dismember the Judiciary and leave it as an appendage of the presidency and the Legislature.

 PM’s statement

In a statement, the former premier said “the standoff that began as a disciplinary hearing against an employee of the Judiciary has now matured into a major inter-branch conflict within the Government, engulfing the Judiciary, the Presidency and the Legislature.”

In a special issue of the Kenya Gazette, Kenyatta suspended the six commissioners following a majority vote in Parliament on November 7, requiring him to set up a tribunal.

The six members of JSC to be investigated are Ahmednasir Abdulahi, Dr Samuel Kobia, Prof Christine Mango, Justice Mohammed Warsame, Emily Ominde and Florence Mwangangi.

Retired Justice Aaron Ringera will chair the investigations, assisted by lawyers Jennifer Shamalla, Ambrose Otieno Weda and Mutua Kilika.

The MPs also accused the Jubilee Government of failing to tackle insecurity in the country. They were speaking during the burial of parents of Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor in Kabete Village in  Upper Nyakach, Kisumu County.

Imbalance in security sector

More than 40 MPs from Cord and five from Jubilee attended. They accused the Government of imbalance in the security sector and irregular deployments.

The leaders urged President Uhuru to tackle worsening insecurity in the country. Nominated MP Oburu Odinga challenged the Government to come out and explain increased incidences of insecurity in the country.

“They (Government) talk of not leaving any stone unturned. It is evident that no stone has been turned yet over the killing of Aduma’s parents,” he said at funeral. The leaders said they would push for an overhaul of the security team in Kisumu County.

Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch urged the Government to act swiftly and give the truth in the insecurity incidences in the country without blaming others. “We are not interested in mere arrests. The police must arrest and prosecute the culprits in this incident,” said Olago.

The leaders said they would summon Kenyatta to the National Assembly to shed light over issues of insecurity. They took issue with the country’s intelligence, which they blamed of negligence.

Aduma claimed police have always ignored his calls for response to insecurity in the area, but they have instead summoned him for claims of incitement.

Aduma mentioned a DCIO within Kisumu County who he accused of circulating leaflets with threat messages in the area, but the police are yet to act. He narrated to the mourners how he had tried in vain to have the Government bring into book those behind cattle rustling in Nyakach.

Kabondo-Kasipul MP Sylvance Osele said he would use the National Assembly to have the country restructure security department. Aduma’s parents, Francis Owuor, 83, and Francisca Mary Owuor, 62, were killed three weeks ago at their home in Kabete Village. Six people who had been arrested in connections to the murder were released by Nyando Court a week ago for lack of evidence.

 Rendering information

Police have blamed the public for failing to render information, which would assist in the investigations.

Eulogising his parents yesterday, Aduma said the killings would not cow him in his fight against cattle rustling in Nyakach. “Freedom comes with blood and sweat. And that is what has happened to me today but I am still strong and will always be against insecurity in the area,” he added.

Acting Nyakach sub-county administrator Chaunga Wa Chaunga who spoke on behalf of the county administration assured that the Government was on course to identify the culprits.