The National Assembly has extended the Public Participation exercise on the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to Saturday.
Members of the public may submit their views relating to the Special Motion to respective Constituency/County Women Representative Offices for onward transmission to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“It is notified to the general public that further to the public participation exercise which commenced on October 2, 2024, and the collection of views across the Venues and Constituency/County Women Representative Offices on October 4, 2024, the 290 Constituency Offices and 47 County Women Representative Offices of all Members of the National Assembly, which are offices under the Parliamentary Service Commission, shall remain open on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm to facilitate further public participation on the Special Motion,” a notice by the Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge stated.
The exercise was first held Friday in 47 centres across all counties.
But a court order secured from a Kerugoya High Court on Friday directed Parliament to organize public participation in every constituency across the country.
While making the ruling, Justice Richard Mwongo said the public hearing scheduled for today (October 4) may proceed as a first stage but the respondents in the case to organize similar public hearings for citizens at least at the constituency level.
This, he said, will enable the constituents of members of parliament responsible for the impeachment process nationally to engage with and participate in hearings by which citizens at that level can participate and offer their representations.
The Judge in issuing the order made reference to Supreme Court decisions that have been the guiding principle when it comes to meaningful public participation.
This followed a petition filed by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina which was certified as urgent.
The National Assembly only organised public participation in 47 centres in all counties within one day, October 4, 2024.