By Lucianne Limo

Parliament has been told to adopt the Proposed Constitution and ignore the changes made by the Parliamentary Select Committee.

In a move likely to widen differences between the CoE and the PSC, Transparency International and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights also alleged a plot by politicians to manipulate the CoE’s draft.

TI-Kenya Director Job Ogonda and KNCHR Vice-Chairman Hassan Omar on Tuesday warned of a scheme to push for the adoption of the Naivasha draft, which creates a strong Presidency and weak Senate.

"The move threatens the stability of this country as the Naivasha draft retains almost the same weaknesses in the current Constitution," said Dr Ogonda.

He added: "We urge Kenyans to push for CoE’s Proposed Constitution as it has effective accountability mechanisms, which politicians want to subvert."

Mr Omar stressed the need for strong institutions of governance to check a strong presidency.

He said the constitution is for all Kenyans and it would be treasonable for Parliament to negate the wishes of Kenyans who gave CoE their views.

"They have gone on retreat to consolidate their own interests and manipulate the process to suit their interests," Omar added.

On Monday, CoE said they would not accept any amendments to the proposed draft, particularly the one weakening the Senate, which is supposed to check a powerful presidency.

PSC is said to favour a powerful presidency and weak Senate.

The experts also overruled the PSC’s decision to remove some clauses from the draft and re-introduced them, saying it was the wishes of the public.

TI-K and the Government-owned KNCHR said only the CoE draft could help stem corruption, which has cost Kenyans an estimated Sh300 billion worth of resources.

"The draft will ensure Parliament is effective in monitoring use of public money by the Government and that Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is powerful," said Ogonda.