Cabinet okays two crucial new Bills

The Kenya Cabinet has approved two crucial Bills that will drive the Constitutional implementation process.

During a meeting chaired by President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi Thursday, the Cabinet approved the Supreme Court Bill 2011 and the Independent Offices Bill.

The former seeks to operationalise the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land.

The Court is charged with the interpretation of the constitution and will have exclusive original jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes relating to the elections to the office of the President.

The Supreme Court shall also hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal and any other court or tribunal as prescribed by national legislation.

It will comprise seven judges including the Chief Justice, who will serve as the President and the Deputy Chief Justice, who will serve as Vice President of the Court.

Already, the Judicial Service Commission has originated two nominees to the position of Chief Justice and his deputy. They are Dr Willy Mutunga and Ms Nancy Baraza respectively.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, after consultations, approved of the names and forwarded them to Parliament for debate and approval before formal appointment by the President.

The JSC is also expected to interview 25 shortlisted candidates for the positions of five Supreme Court judges towards the end of May.

The Independent Offices Bill will make operational the key offices of Controller of Budget and Auditor General.

The office of the Controller of Budget shall oversee the implementation of the budgets of the national and county governments by authorising withdrawals from public funds.

The Auditor General is charged with the responsibility of auditing and reporting on the accounts of various offices under both the national and county governments.

Another Bill approved was the Retirements Benefits ( Deputy President, Speakers of National Assembly and Senate) Bill 2010.

Thursday's Cabinet meeting also approved the renewal of a contract by the Ministry of State for Immigration and Registration of Persons for the production and issuance of two million national identity cards. This is a stop-gap measure as the Ministry prepares for the third generation identity card system.

Cabinet has also approved a Social, Economic and Security Program for the people of Turkana. The program will seek to implement measures to ensure long term security in the region.

It will also seek to enhance food security including initiation of irrigation projects in support of the well being of the people of Turkana.

The move comes in the wake of a border attack carried out by Ethiopia's Merille militia that left at least 20 Turkanas dead. Mr Odinga visited the area and assured locals that the government will guarantee security.

Other initiatives to be implemented and approved at today’s Cabinet meeting were: Decongestion of Nairobi roads through modernisation of the Commuter Railway system.

This will entail: Improvement of the existing railway lines that serve commuters; construction of several modern passenger stations along the railway route; construction of new passenger commuter lines to serve areas that are not catered for under the current system and construction of a railway line to JKIA.

Cabinet also agreed to initiate development of a beach operator’s tourist market along the Coast and a First Class Hotel at the Bomas of Kenya grounds.