Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has told off Azimio leader Raila Odinga over his declaration of March 20 as a public holiday.
Pointing out that there is a procedure on how public holidays are determined and declared, the Prime CS wondered what law Raila had used in his declaration.
"You cannot be walking around telling people you want somebody to observe the rule of law and you yourself are so blatantly breaking the same, giving fictitious declarations that have no legal basis," he said.
The Prime CS said the action was a form of impunity.
He spoke on Wednesday during a meeting with President William Ruto and leaders from Trans Nzoia county at the State House.
Mudavadi urged leaders to strive to build a nation anchored on the rule of law, noting there was a procedure to that.
Noting that Monday is a normal working day, Mudavadi asked Raila how he was going to help those who will suffer job or monetary losses on the day.
Unlawfully declaring the holiday on Tuesday, Raila said it was aimed at allowing Azimio supporters to travel to participate in the mass action against what he termed as an illegitimate government.
"I hereby now declare today in the name of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Coalition that Monday the 20th of March will be a public holiday," Raila said while speaking in Siaya.
He spoke during the Azimio public baraza in Siaya.
The power of declaring public holidays lies with the Interior CS.
This means that at the time, only CS Kithure Kindiki can lawfully declare a public holiday.
"The minister may at any time if he thinks fit, by notice in the Gazette, declare any day to be a public holiday either in addition to the days mentioned in the Schedule or in substitution for any of those days," Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act states.
