Photo/HEZRON NJOROGE/NATION President Mwai Kibaki (left) and Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi during Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2011.
By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, June 1 2011 at 22:00
Posted Wednesday, June 1 2011 at 22:00
The wrangles in Parliament that are threatening to derail execution of the new Constitution dominated Madaraka Day speeches on Wednesday.
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President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga warned MPs that the protracted disputes were hurting the country and challenged them top rise above petty, partisan interests.
“If you work alone, you will not succeed. If you join other Kenyans, you will succeed. You should stop fighting,” the President said at Nyayo National Stadium.
Mr Odinga told MPs to lead the way in the implementation of the Constitution. “They should quickly pass necessary laws. Kenyans should unite to the end,” he said.
Mr Odinga praised the Judicial Service Commission for interviewing applicants for the top Judiciary jobs in public, saying it mirrored the spirit of the new supreme law.
The principals said although the country was faced with many problems, the passing of new Constitution was a milestone that would bring change and ensure development.
“The Grand Coalition Government has initiated the process of fully implementing the Constitution.
“Consequently, various Bills have been prepared and are in the process of being enacted into law.
“Key among them are laws relating to reforms in the Judiciary. Other main areas of focus include the electoral, devolution and land laws,” President Kibaki said.
The President urged Parliament to give priority to Bills on the implementation of the Constitution.
“I have already directed all government ministries and departments to draft Bills well ahead of the timelines stipulated in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution,” the President said.
He added that the Cabinet will also discuss and approve all Bills presented by various ministries in the shortest time possible.
“That way, we will all play a part in shaping the legislation required to put in place various aspects of our new Constitution.”
In a statement from Nigeria where he led a Kenyan delegation to the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said:
“The new law we are now implementing is remarkably generous on the rights and liberties of the Kenyan people and it guarantees a more fulfilling future with better opportunities for social, political and economic prosperity.”
MPs have been fighting over the control of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that scrutinises Bills brought to Parliament and vets appointees to key public legal offices.
The rivalry between ODM and PNU has also delayed formation of an ad hoc committee to vet nominees for the posts of Chief Justice, the deputy and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
On Tuesday, MPs passed two key Bills geared at implementing the new law.
They amended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill, 2011 and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill, 2011, effectively exhausting all the Bills in their in-tray save for the Supreme Court Bill.
The rising cost of living dominated Madaraka Day speeches as the President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga called for patience as the government tries to bring them down.
The principals said measures are in place to cushion Kenyans from high food and fuel prices and that some would be announced during the Budget Day.
“I am fully aware of the hardships being faced by Kenyans due to increased food and fuel prices.
“To alleviate the situation, we are undertaking various short term measures to cushion Kenyans.
“These include zero rating duty on paraffin and drastically reducing duty on diesel,” President Kibaki said.
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