By Standard Team
ODM MPs have urged President Kibaki not to assent to the Bill allowing parties to nominate presidential losers and their running mates back to Parliament.
The MPs argued that by assenting to the Bill, the president would go against the provisions of the Constitution.
Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ and his Medical Services counterpart Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o led MPs Oyugi Magwanga (Kasipul Kabondo), Education Assistant minister Prof Ayiecho Olweny, Thomas Mwadegu (Wundanyi), John Pesa (Migori), Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), Fred Outa (Nyando) and Polins Ochieng’ (Nyakach) in castigating the Bill.
“What is being done now is deliberate and we shall not allow it as ODM. We want the Constitution to be respected at all costs,” said Midiwo.
Some ODM MPs claimed there is a plot to oust Mr Charles Nyachae, the chairman of the Commission for Implementation of the Constitution, in an attempt to ‘mutilate’ the document. They said forces opposed to the new Constitution had ganged up to frustrate the implementation process.
They alleged that forces of impunity were using Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee chairman Abdikadir Mohammed to discredit Nyachae’s leadership and academic credentials.
“Nyachae has demonstrated that he means well for this country and has been consistent in demanding that the new law be implemented without changes,” said Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba on Sunday as the ODM Reloaded brigade concluded its four-day tour of Nyamira County.
Mutilating the law
The leaders lashed out at Attorney General Githu Muigai for appearing to undermine Nyachae, warning that any attempts to mutilate the law shall be opposed.
Communication Assistant minister Simon Ogari said the Gusii had accepted to support Prime Minister Raila Odinga for presidency.
Public Works minister Chris Obure and former Public Health and Sanitation minister Dr James Gesami said the PM had pledged to ensure that the concept of devolution is not watered down.
“We shall mobilise all Gusii leaders to support Raila because as a community, we stand to benefit by staying in a winning team,” declared Obure.
-Story by Nicholas Anyuor, Naftal Makori, Kenan Miruka and Robert Nyasato.
