This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, the High Court certified as urgent a petition filed by the Senate against the National Assembly, accusing them of passing 24 laws in a manner that violates the Constitution.
High Court judge Weldon Korir recognized the weighty issues at stake and directed that the petition be forwarded to Chief Justice David Maraga to form a three-judge bench to hear it.
The National Assembly and its Speaker, Justin Muturi, are listed as respondents, while the Council of Governors and the Attorney-General are interested parties.
According to the Senate, the disputed laws were passed without their involvement, despite many of them relating to counties and the devolution process.
Siaya Senator James Orengo expressed concern that the country could be thrown into a crisis by the Executive and the National Assembly's actions, stating, "The Senate is an important institution with legislative budget making a role in the country... there's an enactment of laws which require its input while there are more others in the pipeline that deal with counties, yet they have been left out. It is our view that the court sets it out clear that bills relating to county governments must be in accordance with the law,"
