Marende tells off MPs over draft law

House Speaker Kenneth Marende on Sunday told Members of Parliament that they should not complain over a Cabinet retreat in Mombasa that was to iron out issues of the draft law.

He said MPs have a responsibility to provide leadership and they should look for a way to correct any faults in the draft constitution rather than complain.

“The MPs can’t complain that the constitution-making process has stalled since they are part of the three arms of the government,” Mr Marende said, before presiding over a harambee (fundraiser) in aid of Kiamabara dispensary in Mathira.

He was reacting to criticisms by MPs who said the discussions of ministers and their assistants were not inclusive.

Executive power

The MPs, who included Emilio Kathuri David Ngugi, Silas Ruteere, and Yusuf Chanzu, Erastus Mureithi and Ephraim Maina had asked Mr Marende to call a meeting of all the MPs to discuss the constitution.

“We will come up with our own version since the ministers could not decide as to who between the President and the Prime Minister should have executive power,” Mr Mureithi said.

They said Central Province MPs will reject the draft law if it adopts the parliamentary system of government before densely populated constituencies are split.