Kenya PM calls recent presidential appointments unconstitutional News
Kenya PM calls recent presidential appointments unconstitutional
Photo source or description

[JURIST] Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga [Guardian profile; JURIST news archive] said on Saturday that his country’s president violated its new constitution [text, PDF] when he made a series of judicial, financial and legal appointments without consulting him. President Mwai Kibaki [official profile; JURIST news archive] announced on Friday the appointments of chief justice, top prosecutor, attorney general and budget chief. The appointments were made in an effort to increase public confidence [Reuters report] in the judiciary and to pave the way for the possible prosecution of suspects accused of 2007 post-election violence. According to Odinga, the country’s new constitution, which was created as part of a power-sharing agreement [JURIST report] reached in 2009 following months of civil unrest, requires presidential appointments to be approved by the prime minister. Odinga indicated that the situation was a major setback to reform [AFP report] that could lead to a legal crisis. He has threatened to block the appointments in court if they are not withdrawn.

Kenya ratified its new constitution [JURIST report] in August, as part of a reform movement aimed at curbing vast presidential powers. Kenya’s new constitution includes numerous checks on presidential authority, among which are the creation of a supreme court and senate. The new constitution was approved by popular referendum, which took place amid concerns that high turnout and heated debate over the referendum could cause a repeat of the violence seen during the country’s presidential election [JURIST reports] in 2007. The government is now expected to start implementing the new constitution, which could take as long as five years. This document has been received as one of the most significant events in Kenya since its independence.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.