Political and rights activist Okiya Omtata [PHOTO/standardmedia.co.ke]
Controversy surrounding Kenya's nominees to the regional House Assembly escalated Thursday, with an applicant petitioning Parliament against going ahead with the election.
Political and rights activist Okiya Omtata said that Parliament had allocated all the nine slots exclusively to political parties and locked out the independent candidates who similarly wish to serve at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
“Their decision to lock out independent candidates from vying and being elected is contrary to the spirit of the East Africa Community, which says that member States should consider special interest groups in their nomination,” said Omtatah.
Omtatah is seeking orders to stop Parliament from conducting a debate to elect the candidates forwarded by Ford Kenya, Jubilee, ODM, and Wiper until the petition is heard and determined.