MPs told to push for reforms

• Backbenchers urged to pile pressure on Coalition to enforce Agenda Four

United States wants back bench MPs to pile pressure on the Grand Coalition Government to speed up the pace of reforms.

The US assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr Johnnie Carson, met six MPs on Monday before he revoked the visa of a senior government official on grounds that he was hindering implementation of Agenda Four.

The MPs, who were to attend a luncheon at the residence of US ambassador Michael Ranneberger in Nairobi are members of the Parliamentary reform caucus.

They were Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani), Danson Mungatana (Garsen), Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West), Margaret Kamar (Eldoret East), Joyce Laboso (Sotik), and Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa).

On Tuesday, Dr Khalwale said: “There is nothing secret about the US supporting reforms in the country and because we have a parliamentary reform caucus, they were happy to associate with us.”

In August, visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Dr Khalwale and Mr Mungatana and urged them to use their presence in the House to push for reforms.

Mr Carson saluted the back bench MPs for the role in the resignation of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission boss Aaron Ringera said similar pressure should be applied to the government to ensure reforms outlined in the National Accord are implemented.

“He told us that President Obama has Kenya at the top of priority nations he would like to see succeed,” he quoted the US top African official.

But he was categorical that the US President had made it clear that he would not support any particular party or coalition.

And on Tuesday, the MPs promised to ‘ruffle’ anti reformists in Government to ensure the reform agenda succeeds.

Meeting with the US business community in Kenya, 10 MPs of the reform group promised to spearhead a campaign that will push through the reform agenda.

“We want to ensure that this time the constitutional reforms do not fail. We want to see the reforms take root and we shall campaign for this course,” Mr Mungatana said.

The caucus held discussions with the American business community on how to press forward key economic and political reforms in the country.

MPs in attendance included Prof Kamar, Mr Kioni, Mr Alfred Sambu, Mr Fred Outta, Mr Aluoch, Ms Peris Chepchumba and Dr Khalwale. Mr Ranneberger also attended.

A statement issued at the end of the discussions said the two groups had agreed that constitutional reform and the end of the culture of impunity were critical if Kenya had to grow as an international business destination.

Prof Kamar said the pro reform MPs were paying particular attention to the successful delivery of the constitutional reforms.

“Lack of our own reforms is destroying our country and the results are worrying. We seem to be derailed by debate on political reforms and progress is becoming a problem,” she said.

The discussions encouraged the need for reforms to move at a faster pace.

ACCK has over 250 members from all the business sectors in Kenya. It is affiliated with the US Chamber of Commerce.

The MPs and business leaders agreed that the achievement of reforms will deliver tangible benefits to the Kenyan people by attracting international investment and promoting Kenyan business activity by assuring investors that Kenya was business friendly.

“The ACCK strongly advocates for swift enactment of legislation to stimulate economic activity and spur growth,” ACCK President Dr Nelson Githinji said.

The parliamentary caucus has previously held a series of closed door meetings with the American business community.