Kalonzo criticises ODM over House team pull out

Joseph Kanyi | NATION Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka greets a toddler at Gakindu in Mukurwe-ini Constituency on May 06, 2011 where he toured several projects. He later addressed an audience in Tetu Constituency where he hit out at ODM for politicising the standoff in the legal affairs committee.

By CHARLES MWANIKI cmwaniki@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, May 7 2011 at 22:00

In Summary

• VP says party’s decision to pull out of legal affairs committee will sabotage ongoing reforms

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has hit out at ODM’s decision to pull out of the parliamentary committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

The VP said he was surprised by party’s decision despite the wrangles in the committee involving one member only, who, he said, should have pulled out instead of pulling the party out with him.

“The withdrawal is a move to sabotage the appointment of a new Chief Justice and by extension the ongoing reforms,” he said.

Spirit of reform

Mr Musyoka said the move by ODM went against the spirit of reform and implementation of the Constitution. He criticised what he described as anti-reformist forces in government, saying they were out to scuttle the implementation of the new law.

He  appealed to MPs to rise above party politics for the good of the country.

The appeal comes after the House Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on Thursday passed a vote of no confidence in its chairman, Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba. ODM, the party that Mr Namwamba belongs to, subsequently announced it had pulled its members from the team.

Mr Musyoka said leaders should work together in ensuring smooth implementation of the new Constitution and give Kenyans a chance to enjoy their rights provided for by the law.

“We must rise above partisan politics and interests; the Constitution is not partisan ... it gives additional opportunities for every Kenyan, including the youth, women and the physically challenged,” he said.

Have confidence

Mr Musyoka was speaking at Kiandu High School, Tetu Constituency in Nyeri County, during a fundraiser in aid of the school. He also urged Kenyans to zealously safeguard the country’s independence, peace and national unity.

“Let us be proud of being Kenyans. We need to have confidence in ourselves,” he said.

Mr Musyoka reiterated that provincial administration would not be done away with under the new Constitution, as it plays an important role as a representative of the government at the grassroots level.

Sports assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando also condemned the withdrawal of ODM from the committee, saying the move was suspicious.

“If they feel they are tired of being in government, they should move out peacefully and allow the government to implement the Constitution and serve its full term before the forthcoming general election,” he said.

Leaders at the meeting described those impeding the Constitution implementation process as political turncoats who only support situations that favour them, and called on the legal affairs committee to follow parliamentary rules instead of politicising the standoff.

Mathira MP Ephraim Maina added that he would table a motion in Parliament this week aimed at cushioning Kenyans against the rising prices of essential commodities.

“The fuel crisis had nothing to do with fuel but cartels hoarding fuel to make profit at the expense of the common mwananchi,” he claimed.

The Vice-President was also accompanied by MPs Johnstone Muthama (Kangundo), Isaac Muoki (Mutomo) Francis Nyamu (Tetu), among other leaders.