MPs seek more time over pending laws

ODM last evening made a U-turn on a decision to oppose the extension of the period for passing the last batch of Bills to implement the Constitution and instead sought consultation on the matter.

With their request allowed, the National Assembly stopped debate on a motion to extend the August 27 deadline for passing the Bills by one year.

The heads of the two major coalitions in the House will now decide the fate of the motion brought yesterday by the chairman of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee, Mr Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri, TNA).

The Orange Democratic Movement, the biggest opposition party, relaxed the resolution to oppose the attempt to extend the deadline adopted at its meeting last Monday. Its highest-ranking MP in the House, Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo, struck a conciliatory note.

“This matter is not a matter that should really be controversial. It should have been a matter that should never even have arrived here. On our side, we have a heavy heart dealing with this issue because the implementation of the Constitution is not moving as fast as envisaged,” said Mr Midiwo.

He said Parliament ought not to be blamed for failing to pass the required legislation because it is the Executive that has failed to process the Bills in good time.

“The Executive has refused for a very long time to give us the laws needed to implement this Constitution. Who said that it is Parliament to suffer when these laws are not passed? Let’s do a leaders’ meeting and agree,” the Gem MP said.

Mr Midiwo said ministries “had made Parliament look bad” by failing to process the Bills on time for presentation to the House. Sometimes we tend to create controversy where we need to consult,” he added as he asked the House leadership to organise a meeting.