Orengo defends Raila over court remarks

Written By:Samson Kitavi/Doreen Apollos ,    Posted: Tue, Mar 20, 2012

Orengo said the premier should have however used a milder word on the courts Lands minister James Orengo has defended Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his remarks that appeared to belittle the Supreme Court. Orengo says the fact that the court failed to give proper direction on the exact date of the next general election, created room for speculation over its judicial capacity. PM Raila Odinga was on Saturday quoted questioning the integrity of the court's ruling which gave different options to guide the date of the election.  Chief Justice Willy Mutunga lashed at the premier for calling the constitutional court's ruling on the election date fake. Orengo says Raila was in the right context as any other Kenyan to doubt the capability of the Judiciary to give a clear direction on the date of election Orengo who spoke after opening a forum to discuss the new Land bills in a city hotel, said the premier should have however used a milder word on the courts. Speaking in Kisii on Saturdays immediately after the IEBC announced the 4th march, 2013 as the date of general elections, Raila said the commission was interpreting a ruling made by a Kangaroo court. Meanwhile, a  section of legislators are challenging members of parliament aggrieved  by the decision by the electoral commission that the country goes to the polls in March next year to appeal in the courts instead of polarizing the country through their public utterances. Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti and his Water counterpart Charity Ngilu, Juja Member of Parliament William Kabogo and Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo urged those opposed to the proposed date to refrain from dividing Kenyans while pursuing their political interests but rather seek arbitration in a court of law. While in Kitui County the four said that the constitution was clear that the current parliament should run through its term before elections can be held adding that there is need to give the IEBC ample time to put in place measures to ensure that the coming elections will be free, fair and credible. The Internal Minister cautioned that the country was yet to heal from the effects of the 2007 post election violence and had the potential to disintegrate if leaders continue to divide Kenyans. "The wounds of the  2007 post election violence are still raw and may fester if leaders don't refrain from engaging in divisive politicking on sensitive issues instead of resolving them amicably," said the Minister while addressing a serious of rallies in Kitui County. Saitoti said the perceived election date impass could easily be resolved by following the court processes without necessarily balkanizing the country. ‘We cannot afford to go to the elections polarized as it happened in 2007. You all know the aftermath," Prof. Saitoti told hundreds of Kitui County residents who attended three rallies in Nzambani, Kisasi and Katulani districts headquarters. Ngilu on her part insisted that although Kenyans had psychologically prepared themselves to go to the polls in December, the extra time will enable the IEBC to put in place measures to ensure that the coming elections will be free, fair and credible. "The IEBC will have adequate time to prepare to manage smooth elections that will be accepted by all Kenyans unlike the 2007 ones where bitter disputes arose leading to eruption of violence," said the Water Minister. Ngilu said she was in the process of revamping her party NARC and will enter into alliances with other likeminded political parties provided they undertook a commitment to address problems facing Ukambani region. Prof. Saitoti who is also a leading presidential candidate and the PNU chairman assured the Water Minister that his party considered her a worthy leader to work with and would like to cement the ties. On Monday, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga criticized Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his recent utterances on the High Court ruling on election date accusing him of undermining authority of judiciary. Mutunga urged the premier to seek legal redress if he was unhappy with the court ruling.