Activist Okiya Omtatah last Friday moved to court to challenge Finance Act, 2018, which Members of Parliament passed the previous day amid outcry.
As Mr Omtatah, the Executive Director of Kenyans for Justice and Development Trust, filed the case, Kenyans online started a campaign to fundraise for him.
Mr Omtatah also wants the court to determine whether the power in the Constitution, for the President to veto a Bill passed by Parliament, empowers him to legislate using a one-third minority of MPs.
The petition also seeks to know the fate of a Bill returned to Parliament by the President, where Parliament partially or fully rejects the reservations but fails to garner the two thirds majority to override the reservations.
Let’s support Okiya Omtata. Our #JusticeChampion Retweet and share widely @KinyanBoy @WanjikuRevolt @alaminkimathi @JerotichSeii @odonya @jamessmat pic.twitter.com/WfpiaBZRFn
— The Sustainian (@AmbuyaJohn) September 22, 2018
#OmtataNiWetu! Every #OmtatahFriday we “#WenyeNchiWaKawaida” will stand with our brother @OkiyaOmtatah Okoiti! Bora Uhai! @citizentvkenya pic.twitter.com/hOR6aKqqIp
— Wanjikũ Revolution™ (@WanjikuRevolt) September 23, 2018
MPs had voted to suspend the implementation of the Bill for another two years but President Kenyatta returned it to Parliament with reservations.
To overturn President Kenyatta’s reservations, some 233 MPs needed to reject it.
Mr Omtatah wants the court to declare Finance Act 2018, which was passed by acclamation and not by division of the vote, unconstitutional and therefore invalid, null and void.