BY ANTHONY KAGIRI
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null     1/1 NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 21 - Ten diplomatic missions in Nairobi have for the first time opted to remain neutral in the ongoing debate on the nomination of four constitutional office holders, and instead called for unity in the coalition government. The diplomats called on President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to cooperate and resolve the impasse that appears to derail the implementation of the new Constitution. Reading the statement, Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud said the government should live to its mandate of ensuring key reforms within key institutions. "We are not making judgements as to whether the current debate over the process of appointments was constitutional. We are not taking sides," he said. Their tactfully worded statement stated: "We are encouraging a process that gives confidence to Kenyans that the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary are putting the interests of the country first." President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are currently in locked in a dispute over nominations to the offices of the Chief Justice, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions and Controller of Budget. On Thursday Speaker Kenneth Marende rejected the nominees who had been submitted to Parliament for approval saying the process was illegal. While Mr Odinga supported the ruling, President Kibaki dismissed it and declared that only the court could interpret the Constitution. The envoys said the standoff was an impediment to the smooth implementation the Constitution. They called on the government to uphold the spirit of public participation and transparency in the implementation of the new constitution. "We strongly encourage implementation of the constitution in a manner that involves the Kenyan people, civil society and professional organisations," the envoys said. Polish ambassador Anna Grapinska said: "The implementation is not going in the speed in which Kenyans deserve." British High Commissioner Rob Macaire added: "We are worried by what we are seeing and we agree with a lot of Kenyans who are saying this is taking us backward." Others counties represented were Netherlands, Germany, France, and Italy, Denmark, Sweden and United States of America. Last week, American ambassador Michael Ranneberger- who signed Monday's statement – backed Speaker Kenneth Marende's ruling that declared the nominations unconstitutional and urged the two principals to restart the process. Follow the author at https://twitter.com/waitheras |
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US urges Kenya to resolve nomination row
Written By:Judith Akolo/AFP, Posted: Mon, Feb 21, 2011
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The United States Government is now urging Kenya's leaders to resolve a judicial appointment row that has rattled the coalition government .
In a statement, faxed to newsrooms, the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip Crowley said progress in the implementation of the constitution can only be realized if the two principals worked together in a collaborative way.
The American govt hailed speaker Kenneth Marende's recent ruling on the judicial nominations stressing on the importance of consultations by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
"Progress can only be achieved if the president and prime minister work together in a collaborative way to implement the constitution, particularly to ensure that appointments are made in a transparent and credible manner," Crowley said.
Marende ruled on Thursday that the nominations were unconstitutional.
The US hailed the August 2010 adoption of Kenya's new constitution as a "major milestone" but called on Kenya's leaders to "involve civil society in the constitutional implementation process in order to achieve national consensus.
"Full implementation of the letter and spirit of the constitution is crucial to realize the promise of a democratically stable and prosperous future for all Kenyans."
The US is further advising the government to incorporate the views of the civil society in the constitution implementation process.
And as the heat continues to build momentum for and against Speaker Kenneth Marende, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa says those hitting out at the Speaker are only serving to divide the country further.
But even as Wamalwa seeks to bring a middle ground in the grand standing, Information and Communications Minister Samuel Poghisio and suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto are rubbing it in asking the Speaker to stop arrogating himself the powers of being umpire between the two principals.
President Mwai Kibaki's naming of a new chief justice, attorney general, director of public prosecution and budget controller last month has sparked a bitter dispute with Prime Minister Raila Odinga saying he was not consulted.
Nominations: Envoys call for unity
Written By:Judith Akolo, Posted: Mon, Feb 21, 2011
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| Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud |
The international community is expressing concern over the current impasse on nominations of individuals to key constitutional offices saying it could derail implementation of the new constitution.
The Head of Mission of the European Union Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud says the enactment of the new law was a major milestone in achieving Agenda 4 goals and it will be a big blow to Kenyans if the law fails to be a reality.
Addressing the press in Nairobi on Monday, Pitteloud called for the implementation of the constitution in a transparent and consultative manner.
The missions that included the Unites States, Britain, Poland, France, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, among others who spoke at the Fairview Hotel said the political grand standing in the country now threaten to tear apart the coalition government, that three years ago was formed to bring peace in the country.
In the statement read by Pitteloud, the envoys asked the two principals, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to institute a process that addresses the interests of Kenyans.
"We are not taking sides. We are encouraging a process that gives confidence to Kenyans that the executive, parliament and the judiciary are putting the interest of the country first," he said.
Noting that they are dismayed by the current political climate that threatens to endanger the progress of the implementation of the, constitution, the national accord and agenda 4 reforms, the ambassadors and high commissioners said talks of the dissolution of the coalition government are unhelpful and a threat to peace in the country.
"The coalition government and parties have a responsibility to deliver the reform agenda they agreed on and respond to the demand for a new form of politics," said Pitteloud
British High Commissioner Rob Macaire said the foreign missions are optimistic that the political leaders will soon find a middle ground on the issues that have seen heightened political temperature in the country.
"It should not be a zero sum effort that will draw the country backwards but ensure that the aspirations of Kenyans are upheld," said Macaire.
Polish Ambassador to Kenya Anna Grupinska said having seen the revolution in her country that brought about democratic leadership that has stood strong in the spirit of solidarity Kenyans ought to learn from the past and forge ahead as a united country.
The foreign missions' representatives said they are optimistic that the leaders will live up to their calling and provide leadership that the country solely needs.
President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are currently in locked in a dispute over nominations to the offices of the Chief Justice, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions and Controller of Budget.
The recent ruling on the judicial nominations by Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende have ignited political rivalry with PNU threatening to pull out of the coalition in addition to censuring the Speaker and the Prime Minister.
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