The Senate is blaming the National Assembly for passing laws without its input adding that it has not been easy for the two houses to reach a consensus on legislation.
The court was told that there has been discussions among Speakers Moses Wetangula (NA) and Amason Kingi (Senate) together with the technical team to try and arrive at some settlement on the issue of passing laws.
Senate’s counsel Okongo Omogeni cited the Finance Bill, which he argues was passed without the Senate’s input.
“I want to be candid with the court ….. it’s not easy to have a consent on interpretation and applications of articles of the constitution, it has been tough, a big battle , long drawn battle for many years even with two decisions of the court so we agree consents are good any day but if parties are not able to agree on interpretation of the constitution the only institution that can give a binding interpretation is the Supreme Court,” Omogeni submitted.
In the matter, the senate filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to set aside a judgment that reinstated 23 laws lacking senators’ input. Senate says it is dissatisfied by the finding that it was an error by the High Court to find that it is a condition precedent that any bill published by either house be subjected to the concurrence process.
The National Assembly, thorough lawyer Issa Mansur, asked for 60 days, saying there’s good will from the two speakers and that process in ongoing to resolve the fights between the two houses.
“I believe when we come back we will have something to report… There’s been progress,” Issa said.
Katiba Institute through lawyer Dudley Ochiel asked the court to hear the matter expeditiously blaming the two houses for derailing the matter.
“The joint framework is nothing new …it’s what this court ordered that they come up with a joint framework…it’s nothing to delay the hearing of this matter …It’s just a ploy to push us further,” said Dudley.
The Supreme Court directed the two parties to continue with the talks adding that should there be no settlement before September 11, it will proceed to hear the matter.
