Lawyers representing the aggrieved parties sought the adjournment to give them time to gather more evidence and get copies of the petition/JANE GOIN
The sittings will resume in Makueni County on Monday May 4, where the commission expects to hear from locals in a bid to firm up their report, which Chairman Mohammed Nyaoga says will be completed within two months.
“We must be prepared to proceed on a day-to-day basis subject to any further directions. We have one petition, and there will be evidence supporting that petition and the petitioners may be repeating what the other petitioner is saying so we will decide whether that petitioner will be heard but that we will decide on the ground,” said Nyaoga.
READ: Makueni resident tells inquiry dissolution only solution
Lawyers representing the aggrieved parties sought the adjournment to give them time to gather more evidence and get copies of the petition.
“We don’t know whether some Members of the County Assembly have been mentioned and to what extent,” said lawyer Charles Mulei.
Nyaoga further urged lawyers plan ahead and clear their schedules to avoid unnecessary adjournments saying the commission intended to find a viable solution to the conflict as fast as it could to ensure the stalled activities at the country get back on course.
Only one of the eight petitioners presented his testimony with the rest expected to appear before the commission when it resumes its sittings.
The petitioner Francis Mailu Mulandi urged the commission to dissolve the County Government and give the residents a chance to elect new leaders who are ready to work and develop the County.
The Nyaoga-led commission has since urged Makueni residents to avail themselves during the public forum to present their views which would be vital in getting to the bottom of the issues that have brought activities in the County at a standstill.
The commission comprises National Police Service Commission Chairman Johnstone Kavuludi, Emily Gatuguta, Prof Harrison Maithya, former Mombasa Mayor Ali Taib Ali and Alice Wairimu Nderitu.
In November last year, over 3000 residents pitched tent outside president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Harambee house offices to present the petition seeking the change of leadership in the County following incessant wrangling between the Governor and the County Assembly.
READ: Makueni residents seek Uhuru over county dissolution
An attempt by one of the residents Michael Kisoi to bar the tribunal from commencing the probe failed Wednesday after High Court Judge Justice Mumbi Ngugi declined to suspend the sittings saying the petitioner should have presented his plea earlier.
Kisoi had in his petition accused the County government of failing to conduct civic education on the contents and consequence of the petition.
READ: Makueni resident loses bid to block dissolution inquiry
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