The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has faulted Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya for attacking Kakamega Small Claims Court Magistrate Gladys Kiama.

The Magistrate recorded a statement at the Kakamega Police Station where she reported that the MP confronted her outside the courtroom, threatening to kill her before taking off.

“He confronted her outside the courtroom and threatened to kill her and then took off,” reads part of the report. 

This is after the Kiama ordered Salasya to pay businessman Robert Lutta the Sh500,000 that he owed.

Lutta went to the Small Claims Court seeking to have Salasya compelled to pay back the money with interest. 

In his defense, the Mumias East MP instead argued that he was the one who loaned Lutta Sh1 million through his political advisor Bernard Kemba.

The MP is also said to have threatened her over calls and text messages as well as a social media post.

“The Commission condemns such acts in the strongest terms possible,” JSC said. 

It added: “Any attempt to interfere with the independence of the Judiciary, including decisional independence of any Judge or Judicial Officer is an affront to the Constitution of Kenya, which all state officers such as Members of Parliament took oath to protect and defend.”

The Judicial Service Commission says that Salasya sent the treats during the hearing and after the delivery of the judgment. 

“The commission has deployed its team to the ground to conduct further investigations and engage the agencies handling the matter with a view of taking appropriate action in line with its mandate,” says JSC.

It called for the respect and protection of the decisional independence of judicial officers, saying that when a court’s decision aggrieves litigants, they should seek redress through the appellate process.

“The Commission wishes to reassure all Judges, Judicial officers, and staff of its continued commitment to protect and safeguard the independence of the Judiciary." By Fred Kagonye, The Standard

After 60 days of talks by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) drawn from Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalitions, their report recommended the creation of the Office of the Leader of Opposition.

It means that the leader of the largest party or coalition that garnered the second-highest number of votes in the presidential election assumes the office.

According to Kenya Kwanza’s bipartisan talks technical advisor Duncan Ojwang’, the ruling party was keen to have the office of the opposition leader created so as to have balanced politics and inclusivity in the country. 

“The leader of the opposition position was created so that rather than doing what they are doing on the streets, it is institutionalized so that they can protect people in parliament and through structured institutions,” said Ojwang’ on Spice FM.

Additionally, the leader of the opposition will create a shadow cabinet that Ojwang’ says will be effective in holding the executive accountable. 

Once the office is constitutionalized, the leaders will be allowed to join parliamentary meetings to share their views and objectives.

“The office of the leader of the opposition will now be able to check the executive. Yes, they will not be Members of Parliament but they will be able to come to parliament and talk about alternative budget, address the public and MPs among other roles,” he said.

According to Ojwang’ the leader of the opposition will have two deputies and will be fully facilitated so as to ensure they perform their duties as required. 

Other recommendations by NADCO include the entrenchment of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund.

They also recommended that all arms of government reduce their travel budgets by 50 per cent and that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission review daily subsistence allowances for state and public officers with a view to reducing them by 30 per cent among others. By Esther Nyambura, The Standard

The Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will lead the Commonwealth delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to call for accelerated action on the climate crisis in light of intensifying threats to small and vulnerable member countries. 

Scheduled from 30 November to 12 December 2023, the annual summit comes just months after Commonwealth environment ministers committed to accelerating climate action at their inaugural meeting, held alongside the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. 

The Secretary-General, who will deliver at least 20 speeches across the summit, will urge negotiators to deliver a transformative outcome at the summit. 

This includes accelerating efforts to implement national climate plans mandated under the Paris Agreement, using the findings of the ‘global stocktake’ report to increase ambition and action, and delivering an inclusive, operational Loss and Damage Fund. 

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will officially open the Commonwealth Pavilion COP28, which will host about 40 events across the two weeks, demonstrating the Commonwealth’s ability to convene vital dialogues between governments, experts, businesses, youth leaders and civil society. 

She will also meet with leaders and ministers from Commonwealth member countries and across the international community, to advance progress on emissions, finance, adaptation, biodiversity, oceans, health, innovation and the green economy.  

‘No more delays’ 

Ahead of the summit, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said: 

“The worst predictions of climate change have become a daily reality. In the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable countries, fertile lands are turning to dust, wells are running dry, storms and floods are overwhelming communities, and the ocean is rising. 

“This represents not only a threat to the health, welfare and survival of millions of people, but to our collective stability and economic prospects. 

“Yet as climate change advances, the gap on emissions, finance and justice has widened, while the window for action continues to narrow. COP28 must close that gap. 

“Every day of delay makes life more dangerous, and makes climate action more complex, challenging and expensive. There can be no more delays, and no more excuses – this is the time for implementation.” 

“The health of us all and of our planet rests on a 1.5°C degree cap on global warming,” she added. “We cannot lose sight of that objective, and I implore leaders at COP28 to renew their determination to deliver a bright, resilient, sustainable common world – now and for generations to come.”  

During the summit, the Secretary-General will call for increased support for small and vulnerable states, highlighting that despite ambitious pledges, these countries are receiving limited funds to mitigate, adapt to and build resilience against the impacts of climate breakdown. 

She will also draw attention to the broader consequences of the climate crisis on economic growth, leading to high debt burdens, food insecurity, stressed resources, and impaired livelihoods for many of the 2.5 billion people living across the Commonwealth. 

Commonwealth response 

Secretary-General Scotland will inform delegates at COP28 about the Commonwealth’s programme, designed to assist its member countries – including 33 small states – in dealing with the challenges posed by the climate crisis. 

These include:

• the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has mobilised US $310 million in climate finance for 17 vulnerable Commonwealth countries, with an additional US $500 million in the pipeline;
• the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which is an agreement by all 56 member countries to actively co-operate to address shared ocean challenges;  

• the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter: A Call to Action, which commits Commonwealth countries to safeguard global land resources while taking coordinated action on climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable land management;  
• the Commonwealth Disaster Risk Finance Portal, which gives countries open, 24-hour hour access to key information on financing to better manage the impact of disasters; and 
• the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda, which seeks to fast-track an inclusive, just, and equitable transition to low-carbon energy systems across the group.  

In light of 2023 being designated as the Commonwealth Year of Youth, the Commonwealth delegation will also host a series of events focused on promoting youth-led action on challenges posed by climate change. Please see the full schedule here.