House opens Tuesday to a crowded agenda

MPs cut short their Christmas break by two months to put in place laws necessary for the implementation of the new Constitution and appointment of officers to effect it. Photo/FILE 

By CAROLINE WAFULA cwafula@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Sunday, January 16 2011 at 22:11

The fourth session of the Tenth Parliament opens on Tuesday with a taxing agenda.

MPs cut short their Christmas break by two months to put in place laws necessary for the implementation of the new Constitution and appointment of officers to effect it.

A number of issues, with an August 25 deadline, need to be addressed, leaving Parliament with slightly more than six months to conclude the business.

During the Christmas break, nine members of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution were sworn in.

The commissioners met the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and discussed the implementation agenda for the next two weeks.

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo of the Legal Affairs committee said the House team would work closely with the implementation commission.

Top on the list is the hiring of the Chief Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General.

The CJ leaves office next month and the AG in August.

Also on the crowded agenda is enactment of a law laying out procedures to vet judges and magistrates.

The House will also pass a law to establish a Supreme Court and appointment of judges as well as one to transform the Interim Independent Electoral Commission into the Interim Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The other business before the House is setting up a local tribunal to try those implicated in post-election violence.

The House reopens against the backdrop of the resignation of Deputy Leader of Government Business Sally Kosgei.

Dr Kosgei wrote to Prime Minister Raila Odinga last week asking to be relieved of the position, saying she wanted to devote more time to her ministerial duties.