Group opposes election date Bill

By RAWLINGS OTIENO and RENSON BULUMA

A lobby group is accusing Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo of mischief in presenting the Constitution Amendment Bill that seeks to alter election date and electoral boundaries.

The group meeting under Jukwa la Katiba said they are opposed to frivolous amendments of the Constitution.

Led by National Civil Society Congress (NCSC) President Morris Odhiambo, the group expressed displeasure over the manner in which the Executive was introducing small amendments of the Constitution, terming it a mutilation of the supreme document even before its full implementation.

"We are reading mischief in the introduction of the amendment Bill. We strongly condemn his action. The Constitution is supreme and we want its full implementation before amendment," said Odhiambo.

The group said Mutula was acting in the interest of the Executive and not the public and asked MPs to shoot down the Bill. The Bill Mutula introduced in Parliament has been criticised by MPs. They want it split into three for thorough scrutiny.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill 2011 seeks to change election date, rule on gender and electoral boundaries. The civil society said they will resist attempts to alter the date of election and expressed optimism that the High Court will move with speed and make its ruling in time to clear anxiety. The group also advised Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Isaack Hassan to put in place mechanisms that will see next year’s General Election free, fair and transparent.

Serious challenge

"We do not understand why Hassan continues to play to the gallery of MPs on this issue. He must respect the Kenyan people. Losing public confidence at this point will give him a serious challenge. He has been given the job, let him do it," added Odhiambo.

The group further wants Parliament to reject two Bills yet to be brought to the House for debate, saying they were designed to take back the gains made on implementation of the Constitution. The Bills are Coordination of Government Functions Bill and the National Security Council Bill. In their earlier submissions to the Task Force on Devolution, the civil society had recommended that governors chair Security Council at the county level.

This was supposed to give them authority over security matters. They said the spirit of devolution was going to be eroded if the Bill does not include governor’s role in security matters at the county level.

Meanwhile, two ODM MPs have stated that the party will be ready for the next General Election regardless of whether they are held in August or December.

Sports minister Paul Otuoma and his counterpart Jakoyo Midiwo said the party is not affected by the ongoing debate over the election dates.

"As a party we are ready for election even if they are called tomorrow," said Otuoma. Midiwo said opinion polls conducted have affirmed the popularity of the party whose leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been rated as the most preferred presidential candidate.