Kenya Parliament opens new session

President Kibaki has warned against the politicisation of the anti-graft war, as a new session of Kenya’s Parliament opened on Tuesday.

Speaking during the official opening of the Fourth Session of 10th Parliament on Tuesday, the President assured Kenyans of Government’s commitment in the continued fight against the vice.

But he added: “We must not politicize or personalize the fight against corruption.”

He called on all anti-corruption agencies to fast-track the conclusion of all pending corruption cases.

“The judiciary should also speed up the court process because speedy conclusion of corruption related cases is a key pillar in this fight.” He said.

Also top on the President's speech to Parliament on Tuesday was the quest for a new constitution, where the President urged members of Parliament to forge “a national consensus” that would enhance unity among Kenyans during the referendum to be held later in the year.

The President commended the progress made by the Committee of Experts on the Constitution so far, as Kenyans looked forward towards a new constitution.

The consensus draft constitution is set to be presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Wednesday.

“Our country has sought to obtain a new constitution for the last two decades without success. But now we seem very close to this goal,” he said.

During his speech to the House, President Kibaki also specifically urged MPs to promote national cohesion by making it a main agenda for the session.

He said Kenyans should resist the temptation to seek external solutions that can be found locally.

“Kenyans should trust the leadership of the country and abandon the temptation to look externally for solutions that can easily be found locally,” He said.

“All Kenyans are looking upon us to champion a uniting agenda,” he told the House.

He said differences between politicians could be solved amicably, appealing to the lawmakers “to avoid divisive partisan politics” and focus on the wellbeing of the country.

The President called on legislators to unite in passing laws that would speed up the reform process.

Earlier on in the day, the President held a meeting with Prime Minister Raila Odinga in a crucial show of unity. This was especially important after the political standoff between the two Kenya coalition leaders, precipitated by last week’s controversial suspension of two Cabinet ministers over graft allegations.

A statement from State House said the two discussed a “wide range of issues touching on the Grand Coalition Government.”

In Parliament, the President Kibaki spoke of the need to tackle the problem of poverty, telling the legislators to focus on investing in the education of the children and the youth.