Raila allays fears over new law

Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) condoles Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, head of Anglican Church of Kenya during a burial service for his late wife Caren Wabukala, at their home in Kibeu village in Bungoma West District on September 11, 2010. Mr Odinga allayed fears that the government was planning to water down the new Constitution in its implementation process. JARED NYATAYA By PMPS
Posted Saturday, September 11 2010 at 17:02

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has allayed fears that the government plans to dilute provisions of the new Constitution, especially those touching on devolution.

Mr Odinga assured Kenyans that the government would not selectively implement the new law.

He noted that the duty of implementing the new Constitution rested with the Constitution Implementation Commission, which is yet to be formed.

The PM was reacting to an outcry from a section of politicians, members of the civil society and lawyers that the government was taking up the roles of the Commission on Implementation of the Constitution and the Parliamentary Oversight Committee.

He said that the views advanced by the Ministry of State for Internal Security were not the government’s official position.

“Those are views by civil servants from that Ministry who have a right to give suggestions, but we shall follow the law,’’ he said.

He said that Kenyans should not panic but exercise patience as the government is committed to ensuring that the new Constitution is properly implemented and will guard against any attempts to dictate structures that are not in the charter.

Under the plan announced by Permanent Secretary in the Internal Security minister Francis Kimemia, the provincial administration will be retained and in some cases expanded in a complex structure.

The chain of provincial commissioners, districts commissioners down to the village elder will be retained and continue to be answerable to the central government.

He was speaking at Kibeu village, Sirisia constituency during the burial of Mrs Caren Nakhumicha Wabukala, wife of the Archbishop Eliud Wabukala and head of the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Also present were: Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula, Attorney General Amos Wako, House Speaker Kenneth Marende, Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli and several MPs.