Editor's Review

"Mimi nitaenda mahakama kusema hiyo jopokazi ameweka ni kinyume ya katiba ya taifa letu."

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has threatened to move to court to sue President William Ruto over appointing a commission of inquiry to probe the Shakahola deaths. 

Speaking on Saturday, May 6 during the burial of Mzee Daniel Mwachiro Korokoro in Kilifi County, Raila stated that President Ruto has no powers in the current constitution to set up a commission. 

The former Prime Minister argued that only Parliament has the mandate to form a commission of inquiry.

"Nimeona bwana Ruto jana ameweka tume ya kufanya uchunguzi tena vilevile akaweka ingine ya judicial commission of inquiry. Hiyo ilikua inafanyika chini ya katiba ya kitambo, tangu 2010 Rais hana uwezo ya kuunda jopo kazi ya kufanya uchunguzi. Hiyo imewekwa chini ya Bunge.

“Juzi nimeambia bunge yetu waende wafanye halahala waunde tume ya kufanya uchunguzi. Bunge inalala, haijafanya kazi hiyo Ruto anasema ameweka hiyo tumo. Mimi nitaenda mahakama kusema hiyo jopokazi ameweka ni kinyume ya katiba ya taifa letu,” Raila stated.

File image of President William Ruto.

Lawyer Miguna Miguna has slammed Raila over the plan to move to court saying that the commissions of inquiry are the prerogative of the President. 

"Commissions of inquiry are the prerogative of the President. Challenging President William Ruto’s formation of a Task Force and Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Shakahola Massacre is an exercise in futility," said Miguna

President Ruto on Friday appointed members of the Shakahola commission on Inquiry that will be led by Lady Justice Jessie Lessit

Other members appointed as commissioners include Lady Justice (Rtd) Mary Muhanji Kasango, Eric Gumbo, Bishop Catherine Mutua, Jonathan Lodompui, Frank Njenga, Wanyama Musiambu and Albert Musasia.

Oliver Kipchumba Karori and Rachel Maina will be joint secretaries while lawyer Kioko Kilukumi will be the lead counsel. Vivian Janet Nyambeki and Bahati Mwamuye will be assisting counsel.