Kenya opposition boycotts parliament opening

President Uhuru Kenyatta opened parliament on Tuesday with a warning against what he says are divisive and destructive politics.

Meanwhile, opposition opposition lawmakers boycotted the sitting, instead choosing to attend a public rally to question Kenyatta’s legitimacy and criticise the election board.

In his speech, the president emphasized the need for all arms of government to work together, adding that Kenyan politics should be devoid of intimidation.

The president’s words were meant to stir the opposition which has a new date with the electorate after the presidential election of August the 8th was nullified, and a re-run set for October the 17th.

“The separation of powers of the three arms of government is a critical constitutional principle in protecting the liberty of our people. But, given the complexity of the public issues that the three arms of government as well as constitutional commissions have to handle, they must work together willingly even as they respect each other’s functional independence. Equally important, the three arms are supposed to be free and I repeat free from intimidation or control by any foreign or domestic actors and any special interest groups.”