RAILA ODINGA: WE CONGRATULATE THE HIGH COURT ON RULING
The High Court has this afternoon spoken on the constitutionality of the laws passed by the National Assembly in the dying days of 2014.
The court has largely agreed with us on principles of law. In the process, it has asserted its jurisdiction to supervise and ensure all the other arms of the State observe the Constitution.
The court has further asserted its responsibility to protect human rights and gone all out to strike out all areas of the proposed laws impinging on civil liberties.
Although the court has not agreed with us with on a few statements of facts particularly regarding how this law was passed, we still congratulate the court for standing up for the Constitution.
On areas of fact where the court has not agreed with us, we will be seeking second opinion in the appellate courts.
Despite the fact that CORD has lost on a few issues, we still congratulate the courts for the statement of the law regarding its own power and protection of civil liberties particularly in respect of freedom of the media on which the court has been emphatic that we need freed media to safeguard our nascent democracy.
Cord believes this decision will go along way in ensuring adherence to the constitution of Kenya and protecting civil liberties.
I thank all CORD legislators who opposed the passage of these laws, some of whom have had to pay with suspension from the House where they represent their voters simply because they stoop up against potentially bad laws and reemergence of dictatorship.
I also congratulate our legal team for the spirited fight
Although we are out numbered in the National Assembly and the Senate, this ruling emboldens us to remain committed to defending our hard won constitution against those keen to plunder it using numerous excuses. Our commitment shall remain to the people and the country first.
RAILA ODINGA; EGH
FEBRUARY 23, 2015