NO RIFT

As pressure continues to mount on parliament to expedite the constitution making process, the Party of National Unity (PNU) has refuted claims of sharp divisions among the grand coalition partners on the proposed constitution.

Speaking shortly after a PNU Parliamentary Group meeting in Nairobi Tuesday, party legal affairs secretary George Nyamweya said both coalition partners, PNU and ODM are in support of the proposed constitution.

Nyamweya said a 3 day retreat slated for later this week is meant to resolve minor differences on the contents of the draft constitution.

He called on his colleagues to put aside their differences for the sake of unity in the country.

There have been claims that the ODM would support the draft in its entirety, while PNU says it would be pushing for amendments of certain clauses.

The two parties however are urging parliament to re-look at transitional provisions from the current to the new constitution to ensure a smooth take over.

PNU's assurance came even as Transparency International and the Kenya National Commission on Human rights criticised those opposing the draft as being driven by selfish gains.

The two organizations came to the defense of the proposed constitution saying it provides sufficient checks and balances.

The two institutions claim that a section of MPs opposed to the draft by committee of experts on constitutional review want to derail the review process for their selfish interests.

TI executive director Job Ogonda and the KNCHR Vice Chairman Hassan Omar told the press Tuesday that politicians want the weaknesses in the current constitution to be retained.

They called on Kenyans to remain vigilant and guard the constitution making process from manipulation.

The duo urged parliament to adopt the proposed constitution in its current state as mutilating it would defeat the logic of the need for a new constitutional dispensation.

A section of MPs are reportedly opposed to a strong senate as proposed in the draft constitution.

The parliamentary Select Committee on the constitution had weakened the senate but the committee of experts on constitutional review retained its earlier clause.

Abortion clause

All MPs are scheduled to retreat in Naivasha this week to build consensus on the proposed constitution before debate on the document commences next week