New law: Its race against time for Kenyan MPs

Written By:Mary Daraja/Margaret Kalekye,    Posted: Mon, Mar 21, 2011

The August house recalled by Speaker Kenneth Marende is expected to pass crucial bills that will pave way for the smooth implementation of the new constitution.

Parliament will re-open Tuesday to a heavy legislative agenda.

The August house recalled by Speaker Kenneth Marende is expected to pass crucial bills that will pave way for the smooth implementation of the new constitution.

The house will also prepare for the 2011/2012 budget.  Among the bills to be prioritized are the Independent Electoral and boundaries commission bill, Political parties' bill, Elections bill, the Supreme Court bill, National police service bill and the National police service Commission bill.

Last week, the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution chairman Charles Nyachae announced that they had completed reviewing IEBC bill and will forward it to the Attorney General for publication.

He said his commission will ensure that the timelines set by the constitution are met.

Mr Nyachae maintained the implementation of the constitution is on schedule, particularly on implementation of laws required before next Elections despite public anxiety of delays due to political bickering.

The IEBC, elections and political parties' laws are required to be in place by August this year.

The 2012 general election will be held on the second Tuesday of August according to the constitution. It will be race against time, as the 80 new electoral units must be created at least 12 months before a general election if they are to be factored in the elections.

At the same time, Parliament will be expected to approve the names of the new Chief Justice and deputy after the Judicial Service Commission concludes short listing, vetting and forwarding the proposed names to the President, who will pick one in consultation with the PM.

The President will then forward those names to Parliament for approval before they are included in the official Kenya Gazette.

Already, the nomination is underway after the JSC advertised the two positions last week.

There are however fears that the political bickering might affect the tight schedule for the implementation of the Constitution.