Kenyan MPs split on proposal by cabinet

Written By:Hallygan Agade,    Posted: Sun, Sep 18, 2011

Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth says elections should be held in August Kenyan legislators are split on the proposal by the cabinet to amend the constitution to allow the general elections date moved to December from August next year. Critics read mischief in the move that has been vehemently opposed by the Constitution Implementation Commission linking it to a ploy by anti reformists to stall constitution implementation Assistant minister and Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth opposes the proposal urging the government to avail funds in the supplementary budget to allow elections in August while Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba claims the August  date is untenable. Namwamba accused the Constitution Implementation Commission chairman Charles Nyachae of conducting his duties out of his mandate. Speaking at a function in Malindi constituency, Namwamba claims the CIC chair is managing the commission as an NGO or a pressure group not as a state organ that provides sober measured guidelines in implementation of the new constitution. He also argues that the constitution has a whole chapter to face amendment with necessary changes which the parliament and the government has a right to propose and pass or fail without going for a referendum. Namwamba also says the debate is premature and has and has come when justice minister Mutula Kilonzo has to publish the bill on proposed amendment which will be given 90 days of debate. Namwamba who is also the Parliamentary Committee chair on constitution said the government is also in the process of coming up with an Election commission and restructuring the police force which is key before the next election.