Minister criticises court decision on Kamukunji

Monday
May 23,  2011

Politics

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By NATION CORRESPONDENT

Posted  Sunday, May 22 2011 at 22:06

A High Court decision that nullified the Kamukunji by-election scheduled for on Monday took PNU by surprise, a Cabinet minister has said.

Nairobi Metropolitan Development minister Njeru Githae said the verdict was a big disappointment.

“Our party is so disappointed by the decision, which has created a lot of confusion,” he said on Sunday as he officially opened a Sh5 million Kang’aru Secondary School tuition block in Kirinyaga County.

Mr Githae said the court made the wrong decision which had adversely affected candidates.

He said candidates and the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) had lost Sh50 million it had spent in preparation for the poll.

He said the candidates had also spent millions in campaigns.

Mr Githae warned that the government could lose more money should candidates sue for damages.

“The government could incur more expenses if the candidates go to court seeking damages,” he said.

At the same time, Mr Githae urged the MPs to approve the nomination of Dr Willy Mutunga as Chief Justice.

He said Dr Mutunga was a brilliant lawyer who would reform the judiciary.

Dr Mutunga can deliver and his performance should not be gauged on how he dresses,” he said.

He said Nancy Baraza was also competent and MPs should approve her nomination.

In a related development, Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi criticised the High Court decision, saying it was not in the interests of the public.

The minister, however, lauded the ruling by Justice Daniel Musinga as heralding democracy in political parties.

“Unlike in previous elections when those who lost nominations jumped to the next party, this ruling opens the door to internal democracy within parties. The only problem was its timing,” she said.