Marende: Ligale commission was right on new boundaries

By David Ochami

Speaker Kenneth Marende says the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC), obeyed the constitution when creating new electoral districts.

He said the Commission should now publish a report of its findings in the Kenya gazette as required by the law.

Marende said this hours before High court judge orderd that Ligale Commission stops gazettement of the new boundaries. (See related story)

Members of parliament from Central, Eastern and Coast regions have denounced the proposal on the sharing of 80 new parliamentary seats accusing the IIBRC chairman Andrew Ligale of adopting a formula that disadvantages their areas.

They threatened to stop gazetement in court as three IIBRC commissioners disowned the proposals leaked to the media last week.

They argued that Ligale unilaterally imposed the new constituencies on the commission.

On Tuesday, businessman John Kimathi Maingi filed a case seeking to stop IIBRC from publishing the new list of constituencies.

According to the constitution review of electoral borders should be done periodically on the basis of population, geographical features and communication facilities in a manner that equalizes the vote across the country.

Followed constitution

When he met the Speaker of Catalonia’s parliament Ernest Benach†Pascual†in Nairobi on Tuesday Marende said that he is convinced Ligale followed the constitution and should be supported.

"The formula they have used is the one stipulated in the constitution," he said and asked MPs to read the constitution regarding the division of new electoral borders.

According to Marende† "there is no cause for conflict" because the commission delivered its mandate according to the law.

"They (Ligale team) complied with the law. If you comply with the law we respect what you do."

Marende suggested that Ligale should gazette the new constituencies because the law requires him to do so. The Speaker said any grievances and remedies can be addressed after publication of IIBRC’s report of findings.

"If they are supposed to gazette the results they should do so and address other matters afterwards."

The Spaniard called for direct flights between Kenya and Spain to boost tourism. He and his entourage are visiting Kenya on a UNESCO mission.