Nairobi — Azimio La Umoja - One Kenya leaning MPs on Thursday stormed out of the proceedings investigating the removal of four commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Led by Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, the leaders walked out of the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) sitting after a ruling was made by a majority of the members upholding its jurisdiction to hear the matter.

"Chair, let's us not involve ourselves in charade. This is Kenyans we are serving in this country. My choice in the participation of this committee must be respected. We can't participate in a Kangaroo proceeding. This is an affront to the constitution, "said Mohamed as he walked out.

The respondents' lawyer had raised a preliminary objection explaining that JLAC has no jurisdictional authority to preside over the matter.

Jotham Orwa who was representing IEBC commissioner Justus Nyagaya stated that the matter ought to have been addressed by the Powers and Privileges committee on the nature of the complaints raised.

The issue prompted the committee members to retreat and agree on the way forward following the preliminary objections raised.

"We have agreed that we have the jurisdiction to hear this matter, this is the most competent committee, petitions by the public are sent to the clerk who when satisfied forwards to the speaker, who forwards it to the relevant committee," stated the Committee Chair George Murugara.