Annan sounds alarm over weak poll reform laws

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned against watering down of sections of laws central to the implementation of the Constitution.

In a statement dispatched on Sunday, the eve of the second anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution, Dr Annan (right) said that concerns were being raised about the extent to which some laws being enacted adhered to the letter and spirit of the Law.

Dr Annan spoke as President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga prepared to lead Kenyans in a national peaceful election conference to be held at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on Monday.

The new Constitution was promulgated on August 27 two years ago.

A new constitutional order was one of the prescriptions for a peaceful election as resolved by Dr Annan-led African Union Panel of Eminent African Personalities that negotiated peace during the 2007/08 post-poll violence.

“The comprehensive implementation of the Constitution is the road map by which the people of Kenya overwhelmingly wish to see the nation guided. They wish to see the national values and principles of governance upheld to include integrity, transparency and accountability,” he said.

The former UN boss stressed the importance of Kenyans electing leaders of integrity as envisaged in the Constitution.

“The need for elected and appointed State officers to be leaders of integrity, as required under Chapter 6, is critical,” he said.

Parliament last week passed a watered down version of the Leadership and Integrity Bill 2012 after deleting a requirement that would have subjected political aspirants to a thorough pre-election vetting.

If the President assents to the Bill as passed, then the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will have no powers to disqualify individuals with questionable character from running for various electoral offices.

Last year, Parliament also watered down a key anti-corruption legislation that would have boosted the war on graft in the country.

Attempts to pick commissioners to succeed the previous one have been futile. Dr Annan urged President Kibaki and Mr Odinga to complete the appointment of commissioners.

Further, Dr Annan also said that the delay in the creation of the National Police Service Commission had slowed down the desire to put in place a reformed police service.