National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi urges MPs to fully implement Constitution

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi also appealed to legislators across the political divide to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto who are symbols of national unity. [Photo:File/standard]

By PSCU

KENYA: National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has urged legislators to roll up their sleeves and ensure the Constitution is fully implemented within the stipulated timelines.

He said members of the National Assembly should advocate for structures that will transform Kenya positively.

“As you all know, the 11th Parliament is expected to continue playing a pivotal role in the implementation of the new Constitution and the expanded legislature in the name of bicameralism and devolution,” he told members of the National Assembly on Monday.

The National Assembly Speaker spoke during the opening of a retreat for members of the National Assembly in Diani, Kwale County. The retreat brings together legislators from across the political divide and aims at building their capacity towards an effective legislature.

He said the Constitution seeks to end the culture of impunity and negative ethnicity, and its full implementation would help the country realise the targets of Vision 2030.

“The spirit of the Constitution, as we are all aware, strives to expand the democratic space and foster sustainable development in line with
Vision 2030,” the National Assembly Speaker said.

Noting that Kenyans expect Parliament to legislate and solve their problems, the Speaker said the National Assembly must transform itself to attune to the emerging needs of the people.

He said: “We must possess capabilities that will ensure we rise to meet the challenges of the time in the process of change in our country.”

The National Assembly Speaker appealed to legislators across the political divide to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto who are symbols of national unity, saying perpetual politicking is not an option for the country’s democracy.

Speaking during the occasion, British High Commissioner Christian Turner said the people and Government of the United Kingdom support Kenya in establishing an effective and efficient Parliament.

He cautioned that effective legislature is a process that does not happen overnight.

“Expectations for Kenya’s new system are high. I often remind people that it has taken us a great many years to implement devolution in Britain; and that we have been making our Constitution up for 200 years and still haven’t written it down,” the UK envoy said.

He added: “So as well as supporting the ambition perhaps we should also be saying haraka haraka haina baraka.”

US Ambassador, Robert Godec, also addressed the legislators’ retreat and supported the move to make Kenya’s National Assembly effective and sensitive to the needs of Kenyans.