Soften stance on draft, urge Orange MPs

Five ODM Members of Parliament on Sunday warned that the hard-line positions taken by the Orange party and PNU could jeopardise the chances of getting a new constitution.

Fisheries minister Paul Otuoma, his Planning counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya, Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch, Nyando MP Paul Outa, and Khwisero MP Evans Akula said divisive politics should not be used to deny Kenyans a new constitution.

The leaders spoke at separate functions. Mr Aluoch criticised PNU for saying it will reject the draft constitution. Mr Oparanya and Mr Akula said ODM favours a parliamentary system.

Parliamentary system

And speaking at Wasweta Village during the burial of Kasipul Kabondo MP Joseph Magwanga’s wife, Lands minister James Orengo said all along Kenyans have wanted a parliamentary system as was even captured by those who wrote the first constitution at the Lancaster Conference.

“Nobody can run away from the truth that some of the current problems Kenyans are engrossed in was a result of the presidential system of governance that the late Kenyatta and Moi enjoyed,” Mr Orengo said.

Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ called for devolution, saying that even in a family there are many centres of powers that revolve around the father, mother and children.

And in Githunguri Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale said the parliamentary constitutional review committee should come up with two drafts at the Naivasha retreat that begins Monday.

Meanwhile, civil society groups on Sunday asked the President and PM to ensure an agreement was reached on sticky issues.