Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga briefs media after holding a consultative meeting with the Council of Governors. [Photo: judiciary.go.ke]Courts will no longer serve as safe haven for governors who want to avoid audit queries by Parliament.During the 11th Parliament, courts on several occasions issued orders blocking the Senate from summoning governors to answer questions on expenditure. Nearly 20 cases were filed against the Senate, National Assembly and their committees, mainly by governors, on accountability issues.However, during the 12th Parliament, it will no longer be business as usual as it will be difficult to challenge decisions made in the House after members of the 11th Parliament enacted a law that insulates proceedings and outcomes from court action.The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill, passed in October 2015, and assented to by the President in July 2016, and which provides for the powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament and its committees, will take effect when the 12th Parliament convenes on Thursday next week, reports the Nation.The Act provides that no proceedings or decisions of Parliament or the Committee of Powers and Privileges shall be questioned in any court.It further provides that 'no civil suit shall be commenced against the Speaker, the Leader of Majority party, the Leader of Minority party, chairpersons of committees and members for any act done or ordered by them in the discharge of the functions of their office'.The decision to insulate Parliament from litigation on its business comes in the wake of a deluge of court injunctions the 11th Parliament was subjected to that nearly crippled some of its business that related to its oversight mandate.

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