By Standard Team
The row over whether parliamentary constituencies should be increased and the criteria of doing so is building up into a firestorm that could undermine reforms.
As if in appreciation of the danger the jostling portends for the comprehensive review, Party of National Unity, through Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, appeared to change tack on the one-man-one-vote demand and said it would consult its coalition partner. Looming in the shadows, however, remained the threat by some PNU MPs that they would vote against the new constitution if the boundary review will not have followed population density patterns.
"You cannot just say every vote matters …every inch of this country matters," was Agriculture William Ruto’s quick reaction.
"My position has always been that we must balance population, and geographic features," he added.
Kiraitu had argued those clamouring to have population density be used to review boundaries should not be vilified.
"You have areas that have high population both in rural and urban regions and which merit being split for fair representation," said Kiraitu.
The great controversy building up around this process came out during a public hearing staged by Interim Independent Boundaries Commission in Nairobi, and interviews with politicians. It was also discernible from the urgency with which Party of National Unity politicians are pushing for the criteria of one-man-one-vote to be adopted in redrawing constituency boundaries.
The latest storm has been over what considerations take precedence between options set out by the Act that created by IIBRC: population density and trends; means of communication; geographical features, and community interest.
It now turns out some political parties are pushing for an earlier conclusion of the boundary review, during which they would push for delimitation criteria that would favour their voting blocs with more constituency than others. Still it would allow them to decide, on the basis of whether they will have the potential for majority seats in Parliament, to support the proposed constitution.
This has been added fire by expectation the Draft Constitution, which Committee of Experts plans to publish next week, will propose a hybrid system of government where the party with majority of seats would appoint the PM.
This has excited central Kenya politicians, who have held a series of meetings, particularly following President Kibaki’s Kenyatta Day remark that the new constitution must uphold the democratic principal of one-man-one-vote.
Put differently
Put differently, or as understood by PNU politicians, this means creation of constituencies must be based on population ratios; something they believe will give their regions more seats in Parliament.
The other side argues that because of the vast and remote nature of constituencies; say in northern Kenya and parts of the Rift Valley, access to parliamentary representative demands that geographical and topographical factors take precedent over population.
Tourism Minister Najib Balala said the one-man-one vote proposal was not attainable, "and those proposing it are out to stop Kenyans from getting a new constitution". He said the debate was dangerous and could undermine the quest for a new constitution. While Ruto said those advocating for one-man-one-vote have taken extreme positions.
Kiraitu, who spoke after a high-level PNU meeting attended by, among others Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, argued population density and vastness of areas should form the basis of reviewing boundaries.
Kiraitu further said: "Kenya is a unique country with diverse features and which should be considered when reviewing boundaries."
"The commission dealing with the matter must be prepared to make reasonable variations during the review," said Kiraitu.
He added politicians should desist from meddling with the boundary review by taking hard line positions. Kiraitu after a meeting of PNU Supreme Council and Central Committee members. Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo.
Former Kabete MP Paul Muite said: "We need equity. The way to achieve this is the approach the Committee on Administration of Justice in the Ninth Parliament suggested."
Muite argues that Kenya should be divided into three categories – urban, rural and densely populated, arid and semi arid constituencies, then debate the minimum and maximum number for each of the categories rather than simplistically saying one man one vote."
At a public forums organised by IIBRC at Charter Hall, Nairobi MPs, Margaret Wanjiru, Simon Mbugua, Elizabeth Ongoro, Dick Wathika and Fred Gumo rooted for splitting each of the eight city constituencies.
IIBRC Chairman Andrew Ligale calmed tempers between those calling for more constituencies and those against, saying all factors would be considered, including the economy.
Ligale said his team will have to harmonise the total populace to form a constituency in urban areas, another for rural areas, and a different parameter for the sparsely populated areas. "We might discard old systems where constituencies were created for the sake of it. Nairobi and other major towns like Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret might be considered for an harmonised minimum population each constituency should have," said Ligale.
