TI says move to increase MPs recipe for chaos

By Athman Amran

A lobby group has added its voice to those opposing an increase in the number of constituencies.

Transparency International Kenya Executive Director Job Ogonda said additional MPs, as recommended by the Parliamentary Select Committee on constitution review, would not only be a burden to the taxpayer, but would also make regions with more MPs have more influence on policies. "Why increase the number of MPs on the basis of population instead of issues," he asked at a news conference in Nairobi, yesterday.

Mr Ogonda said the move would only bring civil strife because some regions with sparse population and thus few MPs might seek to secede if they would have less say in making policies.

"It is imperative that in a deeply divided and unequal society like Kenya there is in place a mixed member representation. This would ensure that principles and values expressed in the beginning of the draft constitution, such as equality and representation of minorities and marginalised groups, are upheld," he said.

 

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