Leaders praise constitutional review team for a job well done

By Mutinda Mwanzia

Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo and several MPs praised the Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review for overseeing the drafting of the new Constitution.

Mutula said Kenyans would forever be grateful to the CoE for being instrumental in realisation of the new Constitution.

“They had many challenges but the team lived up to the expectations of Kenyans,” said Mutula.

He said constitution making is not an easy task, but noted the greatest hurdle would be implementation.

Narc-Kenya chairperson Martha Karua said the CoE did a great job in drafting the new laws.

“Congratulations to the team and Kenyans will forever be grateful to them,” said Karua.

Calls to honour team

The Gichugu MP said she was looking forward to working with the team in other undertakings.

Former Kabete MP Paul Muite said the CoE did its job despite the hurdles on its path.

He, however, said the new laws would not have been realised without the Parliamentary Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Muite said the CoE had earlier made a mistake by recommending a hybrid system of Government but lauded the PSC, which met in Naivasha, to ‘straighten’ the draft.

“The two teams worked well and that’s why the country has a new Constitution,” said Muite.

Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara said the team has won a space in the history of the country.

“They are heroes and heroines and deserve a pat on the back,” said Imanyara.

Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka said the State should honour the team.

“The clamour for new laws took long, but the team broke the jinx. I salute them,” said Munyaka.

He regretted the fact that the team was overlooked during promulgation of the new Constitution on August 27.

“However, should hold their heads high,” he said.

Spotlight on House

Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale was optimistic the new laws would be implemented fast after ODM and PNU agreed on the Parliamentary Constitution Oversight Commission.

“The biggest honour MPs can bestow on the CoE is to implement the new law,” he said.

The MP said despite the limited time the team had and pressure to deliver ‘they did a wonderful job’.

Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua said the CoE work was above reproach. He said the team achieved a feat that had eluded many committees.

“The fight for a new constitution had been dogged by many pitfalls but the Kitonga (Nzamba) team overcame the odds to deliver,” he said.

Mbugua said Kenyans also deserved praise for endorsing the Proposed Constitution.