Siaya Senator James Orengo, who is representing Cord in a case filed on
December 23, 2014 seeking to stop the implementation of Security Laws
Amendment Act. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) has filed a case to stop the implementation of the Security Laws Amendment Act.
Cord argued that some sections of the Act are unconstitutional and violate rights of individuals.
Cord
has named the Republic of Kenya and Attorney General as respondents in
the petition filed on Tuesday and certified as urgent by Justice Isaac
Lenaola.
Cord lawyer James Orengo on Tuesday raised five concerns by Cord on the law.
He
said the law affects the right of every citizen to be a Kenyan by
giving the Registrar powers to revoke national identity cards without
following due process.
Mr Orengo also argued that the
new laws violate the right to fair trial and being presumed innocent
until proven guilty. He said offences created under the act are
oppressive and unjustifiable.
The lawyer told the court
that the Bill was passed unconstitutionally as it involves matters
touching counties and Senate was not involved.
He
further alleged that the public were not given a chance to air their
views on the Bill claiming that it was taken to Parliament a day after
it was drafted.
Mr Orengo also argued that the Bill was
passed in contravention of Standing Orders as there was chaos in
Parliament and some members were standing.
Justice Lenaola declined to stop the implementation of the law and ordered Cord to serve the AG with the application.
The case will be heard Wednesday morning.
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