Ministers feel the heat of new laws in Parliament

"Our detractors were cynical and waited for failure, but it has been long coming and is unlikely any time soon. We are, and must remain awake to the reality of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, and its constitutional factual being," said the Speaker.

Marende observed Kenya had learnt her lessons well out of the debacle of the Memorandum of Understanding of yesteryear and therefore would uphold the Constitution.

But Raila said law makers had put the Cabinet under pressure over the draft Bills that have constitutional timelines without considering the circumstances and challenges of ministers.

Raila challenged Parliament to look into how Cabinet ministers can be exempted from attending parliamentary committee meetings. He said ministers were taking a lot of time in such meetings at the expense of other Government business.

"As the chairman of the Cabinet committee I have been unable to conduct business of the Government as ministers are often summoned to attend to parliamentary committees. Such functions should be delegated to experts in the ministries," advised the PM.

Raila was speaking at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club where he opened the Kenya Legislative Development Conference for MPs.

The two-day conference brought together MPs to reflect on institutional changes and the future of Parliament under the new Constitution.

Raila noted that Parliament has spearheaded some great institutional reforms that have spared the country the perils that other African countries have undergone.

"Some of the changes include the push for the reintroduction of multi-party politics and increased democratic space since 1990, the return to calm after the 2007-2008 post-election violence and the passage of the new Constitution," he went on.

He hailed the 10th Parliament for its role in giving Kenya the new Constitution, but added there was still a lot to be done.

The PM, however, said he was confident that the current Parliament was up to the task and would not fail Kenyans. "The 10th Parliament has worked beyond official hours to pass many pieces of legislations that have gone a long way in implementing the Constitution," said the PM.

Recommended Videos

Sunrise Live Interview : The Week in Politics 17th June 2013

Prisoner of my Skin

Teachers awaiting a decision from its top organ on whether or not to call a strike

Video of the Day : Imagine waking up to realize you cannot remember yourself