Ex-Governor Sonko files case challenging Railas public holiday declaration
The
High Court in Nairobi has said that there’s a laid out procedure for the declaration of public holidays in the country.
High Court Judge Hedwig Ong'udi spoke while giving directions on Friday after former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko filed a case challenging Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga’s recent declaration that Monday is a public holiday.
The
High Court Judge stated that the matter is of great public interest, directing that
it be mentioned on Tuesday next week.
“I
have perused the petition, notice of motion and certificate of urgency all
dated 17th March, 2023...I have not found any gazette notice by the Cabinet
Secretary in charge of Interior declaring 20th of March 2023 a public holiday
as per the Constitution," read the court’s directions.
Sonko
filed the case after Mr. Odinga on Tuesday this week declared Monday, March 20, 2023, a public holiday to allow Kenyans to
participate in planned demonstrations.
Addressing his supporters in Siaya County, the opposition
chief appealed to Kenyans to participate in the planned countrywide mass action
which seeks to compel the government to lower the cost of living.
He said the demonstrations would be peaceful as he
also urged participants to conduct themselves in an orderly manner.
"We do not want any kind of violence or
bloodshed. It is going to be peaceful and I have also said that we do not want
any handshake. We are only doing this because it is the only alternative that
we have,” he said.
"In the name of Azimio one Kenya Alliance, we
declare that Monday, March 20 will be a public holiday.”
The
former premier has however come under heavy criticism since, with religious
leaders urging him to backtrack on the plan, and government officials slamming
him for purporting to wield powers that he does not since only the Interior
Cabinet Secretary is lawfully allowed to declare a public holiday.
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