Court orders parliament to suspend Ouko probe

By Brenda Czeda-Radido

The Auditor General Edward Ouko can temporarily rest easy after parliament suspended its probe on a petition seeking his removal from office.

While ordering the suspension in line with a court directive, Speaker Justin Muturi faulted the courts for interfering with a legislative matter insisting the constitution is clear on the separation of powers between different arms of government.

This comes as a section of ODM MP’s are alleging the petition against Ouko is politically engineered.

The supremacy battle between the judiciary and legislature has being re-ignited following a decision by the court blocking investigations against the Auditor General.

Muturi says that reviewing of the conduct of the Auditor General solely lies with the National Assembly. Pointing out, however, that the high Court does not impede the house from exercising oversight role as it is limited in scope and application of the petition.

At the same time the finance committee was ordered to submit a progress report in parliament in 7 days.

The ruling comes amid claims by a section of MPs allied to ODM alleging the petition against Ouko was political ups.

The MPs purport he is been victimized for issuing damning reports on wasteful expenditure in government departments.

The MPs also allege that the Auditor General had also refused to okay borrowing by the government and was therefore seen as a stumbling block.

The petition for the removal of Ouko from office over alleged abuse of office was presented by city lawyer Emmanuel Mwagonah.