{
  "id": 5347198,
  "title": "Lawyer wants MPs empowered to act against agencies that fail to enforce laws",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/lawyer-wants-mps-empowered-to-act-against-agencies-that-fail-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T13:32:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/lawyer-wants-mps-empowered-to-act-against-agencies-that-fail-to-enforce-laws/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nairobi, Kenya - A lawyer has urged Parliament to pass legislation granting Kenyans the authority to challenge government agencies that fail to create regulations essential for implementing laws. Advocate Ekaterina Handa submitted a memorandum to the Clerk of the National Assembly, proposing the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill, already approved by the Senate, is currently before the National Assembly for public review. Handa highlighted the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as an example of bureaucratic delay, citing their failure to establish regulations for handling complaints against judicial officers despite legal mandates. She warned that this lack of formal rules breeds uncertainty, leaving disputes to be resolved under unclear procedures. Handa emphasized that this issue extends beyond mere procedural concerns; it jeopardizes the fundamental safeguards ensuring legislative intent is upheld and administrative inertia is curbed. Under the proposed amendments, agencies responsible for creating regulations would face deadlines, and the public could petition Parliament if such bodies fail to meet these timelines. The memorandum also references court rulings, including Lubengu v Judicial Service Commission & another and Shollei v Judicial Service Commission & another, stressing the need for clear rules to ensure fair procedures for judges facing disciplinary actions. Handa argued that the absence of such rules undermines constitutional rights to fair administrative action and natural justice. She dismissed worries that Parliament's involvement would compromise judicial independence, asserting that clear regulations would instead bolster it by ensuring transparent standards govern disciplinary proceedings. Handa called for Parliament to expedite the legislation, emphasizing its role in restoring legislative authority and enforcing compliance with the law.",
  "summary": "She warned that the absence of formal rules had created uncertainty around how complaints against members of the Judiciary should be processed, leaving parties to rely on procedures that may not be clearly defined or consistently applied.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}