Parliament adjourns

By Alex Ndegwa Parliament adjourned indefinitely ending a stormy session with MPs optimistic the break will offer the opportunity to lower political temperatures and restore unity crucial for the implementation of the constitution.
The House is expected to be recalled after a fortnight to approve extra spending on drought mitigation (Sh8 billion) the implementation of a new Constitution (Sh3.4 billion) and an unspecified amount for border security in response to terrorist threats.
Also in the agenda for the forthcoming fifth session of the tenth Parliament is the Budget in June for the next financial year and implementation of the constitution, including passing laws on devolution and electoral reforms.
MPs will be required to approve a fresh list of nominees for the offices of Chief Justice, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions and Controller of the Budget, after the President withdrew the initial nominations following acrimony.
The House had reconvened on February 1 for the special session to pass the vetting of judges and magistrates Bill and the Judicial Service Commission Bill, which await assent by the President.
But the earlier recall on January 19 had gone awry with the House forced to adjourn a day later following the withdrawal of the two Bills on technical grounds. Under the Standing Orders, the House can only transact the specified business during the special session.
On resumption, Parliament was sucked into the standoff over nominations to four constitutional offices by President Kibaki, which Prime Minister Raila Odinga disputed.
On Wednesday, members unanimously approved the motion for the House to adjourn sine die.
Raila said the short recess will ensure members come back "refreshed" for the second last session before Parliament is dissolved.
The PM recalled the crisis in Ivory Coast to caution against politics influenced by bigotry and intolerance.
"It was politics of bigotry, ethnicity and intolerance that contributed to the destruction of that country. We still have those kinds of elements here. We must guard against such," Raila said.
The PM cited the popular uprising sweeping in the Arab world saying "we run the risk of going this way" if the vital reforms are not implemented.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka emphasised it was important that the coalition Government acted in unity at all time even while seeking deferral of Kenyan cases at the ICC.
"I said we need to get our country back and I am glad that Midiwo, too, is speaking the same language. Even on the establishment of a special tribunal I am happy we are beginning to speak in one voice," Kalonzo said.
Joint Government Whip Jakoyo Midiwo had said he was not opposed to local trials but stressed the importance of consultations between the coalition partners before key decisions are made.
"Let us not do things that connote there is a Kibaki and Raila government because that is not helpful to the country. Let us examine where the rain started beating us. Let us not just say so and so is interested in taking others to The Hague," Midiwo added.
Political turmoil
The VP defended his visit to Libya- currently facing political turmoil- explaining the President sent him because at the time Libya was the chair of the African Peace and Security Council.
Kalonzo said the Government is committed to the full implementation of the Constitution despite the hiccups saying the two judiciary bills would set the country on the path to a fully independent judiciary.
Gichugu MP Martha Karua said the time allows the two principals to review the spirit of the constitution saying Cabinet is riddled with people who don’t pass the integrity test.
Karua criticised collection of signatures by the provincial administration in Central province to support deferral of ICC cases and added they must ensure they subject public appointments to competitive recruitment.
Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro said the partners in the coalition Government had squandered time" playing against each other". He pleaded for a ceasefire so as to deliver the pending Agenda Four in the remainder of the term.
"Government must realize there should be no competition between the VP and PM. Shuttle diplomacy is a waste of funds. So are the tours to assess drought because that is merely an opportunity to campaign," he added.
Ethuro regretted the Government had failed to honor the promise to resettle IDPs by December.† "The new deadline of June 30 should not be extended. It is a shame because those people are in camps because of us," Ethuro said.
Garsen MP Danson Mungatana said the nation’s image is "battered" because of "bad blood flowing" between the offices of President and Prime Minister.
Likoni MP Masudi Mwahimu said the President and Prime Minister were willing to work together but blamed hardliners in their camps for woes bedeviling the coalition.
Environment Assistant minister Margaret Kamar said Parliament’s work to implement the constitution was cut out, including setting up structures for devolution.
Lands assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli said dissenting views should be tolerated as he criticized threats of censure against officials who "don’t do things our way".
Defence Assistant Minister Joseph Nkaissery urged politicians to tone down the rhetoric adding the image of Parliament was "under threat" because of the battles in the political arena.
Nkaissery, an ODM official, urged party rebels who had been "adopted by PNU" to come back to the party otherwise "drastic and punitive measures" would be taken against them.
Sports Assistant Minister Kabando wa kabanado said political caucuses had been turned into a circus. Education assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny however said the political parties Act should be enforced to punish members who had disowned their party.