MP Daniel Manduku calls on Ruto to dissolve Parliament, set fresh elections

Nyaribari Masaba Member of Parliament Daniel Manduku has called on President William Ruto to dissolve the National Assembly and allow the country to go for a fresh election.

Addressing the press on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Manduku, who was elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket, indicated that the unprecedented events that unfolded on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, signified the failure by the institution to maintain order and serve the interests of the electorates.

"The recent invasion and defilement of Parliament signify a failure of the institution to maintain order, respect, and public trust," Manduku remarked.

Manduku appealed to the Head of State to use the powers vested to him in the Constitution to dissolve the Parliament and allow the people to vote in their representatives afresh.

Under Article 261(7) of the Kenyan Constitution, the President has the authority to dissolve Parliament if it fails to fulfil its constitutional mandate.

"It is imperative for the President to dissolve Parliament, reconstitute his Cabinet,'' Manduku said adding that only fresh polls in 90 days will restore democratic integrity and public confidence.

Manduku made it clear that the Parliament has been defiled following the protests and it would not not auger well for the lawmakers to return to the House.

"It is absolutely not good that we go there. Personally, I will not go there. Power belongs to people and we the elected leaders exercise authority on their behalf.

"On Tuesday, they came to take back their power. We must call a spade a spade. I want to ask Kenyans not to allow their elected leaders to go back there, even myself included," Manduku insisted.

Manduku on IEBC

While addressing the press, Manduku acknowledged the issue of not having a fully constituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

However, he told the members of the fourth estate that Kenya is a party to many international treaties including the Africa Union (AU) which can send in commissioners to oversee the process.

"I know people will argue that there is no Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in place but remember we are party to many international treaties. We can ask the African Union, or the East African Community or the United Nations to send nine commissioners to oversee the polls," Manduku affirmed.

After the polls

Manduku asked President William Ruto to pick a competent people after dissolving the Parliament and calling for fresh elections.

He castigated the current crop of leaders in Kenya Kwanza insisting that they are not reading from the same script.

Manduku argued that the disagreement and fallout within Kenya Kwanza leadership reigns was made public after Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua issued contradicting statements.

"I am hopeful that the president can pick competent people to manage this country after a poll," he stated.

UPDATE: Daniel Manduku asks President Ruto to Dissolve Parliament and call for fresh elections pic.twitter.com/bvNekv5JWk— Naomi Waithira (@Naomikibandi) June 27, 2024

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