Defiant NASA MPs Vow to Honor President Uhuru's Summon for First Parliament Sitting

A section of Members of Parliament (MPs) affiliated to the opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) have vowed to honor the first Parliament sitting convened by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday by ignoring earlier calls by the opposition to boycott the event.

Speaking at Parliament Buildings, the MPs dismissed Nasa boycott directive, saying it “was not a party but rather individual position”.

Led by newly elected Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, the legislators said they were ready to take oath of office as the representative of their people.

“It has not been circulated to us that the boycott issue is a coalition position, we will just ignore it and move forward,” she said.

Kanduyi MP-elect Wafula Wamunyinyi echoed Jumwa's sentiments saying his party (Ford Kenya) had not discussed anything to that effect.

“We are ready to take office on Thursday; the boycott threat should be treated as such. Opening of Parliament is a constitutional matter which should not be politicised,” he said.

The MPs were speaking during an orientation exercise at parliament buildings on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony.

The MPs are expected to present their Curriculum Vitae and a copy of their National Identification Card at the registration desk before taking oath of office.

Some Nasa MPs led by Junet Mohamed (Suna East) last week said they would skip the first sitting of Parliament until the Supreme Court makes a verdict on the legality of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election.

In a notice in the Kenya gazette, President Uhuru summoned the 12th Parliament for the first sitting on Thursday.