Parliament to go on recess amid several pending Bills

Tuesday, 01 March 2011 00:04 BY FRANCIS MUREITHI

END OF BUSINESS: Parliament set to go on recess

Parliament is expected to go on a recess this week. The MPs returned from their Christmas break on January 18 but took a two week holiday a day after. They resumed work on February 1 after which they debated and passed the Judicial Service Bill and the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill. These are the two crucial pieces of legislation that necessitated the early recall of MPs this year.

Since the enactment of the new constitution in August last year, MPs have passed laws for the creation of the Commission on the Implementation of the new Constitution, the Commission on Revenue Allocation, the Judicial Service Commission, the Judicial Service Bill and the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill.

After this week's break, President Kibaki is expected to prolong Parliament to enable MPs start a new session in mid March. The House has 10 new laws directly touching on the implementation of the constitution which are supposed to be enacted by August 28.

In addition to the new laws, Parliament has the task endorsing a new Chief Justice, a new Attorney General, a new Auditor General and a new Public Prosecutor, all who must be appointed by August 28.

Former CJ Evan Gicheru vacated office on Sunday while the AG is supposed to quit by August 27. By August, MPs are required to have enacted a law to transform the Interim Independent Electoral Commission into the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and pass a separate law on how the new electoral body will review the boundaries of constituencies and counties.

MPs are also supposed to have passed a law establishing a Supreme Court and appointment of its judges and another law to tackle nomination of candidates, continuous registration of voters including those living abroad, conduct of elections and referenda and dealing with electoral disputes.

By August 28, Parliament should also have enacted a legislation to establish an Independent Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, a separate law on citizenship and another law on regulation of political parties.

Parliament is also required to pass a law to bring to life the new Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission. The same deadline applies for Parliament passing a law providing the rules to be followed by a special committee to advise the President on which convicted criminals he can pardon.

By August 28 Parliament is also required to have passed a law providing for the election and removal from office of speakers of the county assemblies.