Why Aden Duale wants Moi kicked out
Here is the gist of the matter.
Recommended articles
National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale has told Senate ICT committee chairman Gideon Moi to excuse himself from the would-be meeting to grill the CS for failing to comply with numerous court orders to restore the signals of Citizen TV, KTN News and NTV, a fortnight ago.
The Garissa Township MP, on Monday in a press conference at Parliament buildings in Nairobi, said that Mr Moi owns KTN, which is at the centre of the controversial shut down, should back off from the committee, as his business interests would conflict those of the parliament.
“We expect to see the committee chairman Gideon Moi excusing himself. He owns one of the largest media stations in the country. You can’t run your business using Parliament. In the same vein, Parliament cannot purport to discuss a matter that is pending before the Judiciary.
ADVERTISEMENT
This is clearly outlined in the Standing Orders that a matter that is sub judice cannot be discussed in Parliament. We need to protect the independence of various arms of government,” the Garissa Town MP said.
The three television channels were shut on January 30 for nearly eight days after they televised an event in which NASA leader Raila Odinga was taking an oath as the ‘People’s President’.
Meanwhile, after the CS missed two consecutive summons, the embattled Committee’s vice-chair and nominated lawmaker Mr Halake Abshiro said that Mr Mucheru will be “invited to appear before it on March 6.”
Court orders
On Thursday, the Gideon Moi-led committee accused Mucheru of undermining Parliament after failing to appear. Moi had earlier asked the government to restore signals of TV stations, which had been off air for a week.
ADVERTISEMENT
Senator Moi told the government to obey a court order by High Court judge Justice Chacha Mwita ordering it to restore the signals of Citizen TV, NTV and KTN.
Mr Mucheru, however, wrote to the Senate Clerk Mr Jeremiah Nyegenye, saying he was scheduled to attend a Cabinet meeting and would not be able to appear. Mr Mucheru, according to his PS Mr Henry Mungasia, had jetted out of the country on the material day.
“Thursday is a day reserved for Cabinet meetings and the CS will not be available for this meeting. He is asking the committee to postpone the meeting to a later date,” he said.
Members, however, including Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, said they had written to the CS a week ago and he did not excuse himself in advance.
“This shows the CS is undermining the oversight role of Parliament. He is in contempt of this Parliament,” Kajwang’ said.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke
Next story