Review team in search of fresh deal

By Antony Gitonga

Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Review is back in Naivasha to iron out fresh differences over the Proposed Constitution.

Members of the committee were optimistic they could convince their fellow MPs and reach consensus by Saturday when the retreat ends.

Speaking to the Press at Sopa Resort Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo pointed an accusing finger at the Committee of Experts (CoE) over the abortion debate that has split Kenyans.

Mr Mutula said CoE amended the revised draft and added some words to the clause on when life begins, further bringing in confusion.

"I met religious leaders after we finished working on the Naivasha draft and they supported us until the document was handed to the CoE," he said.

Abortion debate

But Mutula was optimistic the retreat would resolve the pending issues identified as contentious ahead of the retreat.

"Our hope as PSC is that by Saturday we shall leave here speaking in one voice because Kenyans need a new constitution," he said.

He termed the abortion debate as a small issue, adding that the matter could be amended and urged the Church to be moderate in its objections.

The minister said he had discussed with the House Business Committee on the need to create room for MPs to conduct civic education two weeks before the referendum.

"I proposed that we create groups of MPs who will move round educating Kenyans and no MP should conduct the education where he hails from," he said.

The PSC vice-chairman Ababu Namwamba admitted that it would be an uphill task to convince the 222 MPs to think in the same way.

"It’s hard to predict what will happen, but I’m hopeful my colleagues can be patriotic and take up the momentum set by PSC," he said.

political class

Mr Namwamba said Kadhis courts, abortion, representation and devolution would be discussed during the three-day retreat.

He said PSC would unite the political class and urge the MPs to have a non-contested referendum.

Members of the PSC present included James Orengo, Uhuru Kenyatta, Moses Wetang’ula, Jeremiah Kioni, Isaac Ruto and Najib Balala.