EU urges more effort over Kenya reforms
European Union Head of Delegation to Kenya Lodewijk Briet during a news conference at the Hilton Hotel, Nairobi June 30, 2011. He lauded the progress of implementing the Constitution but warned a lot needs to be done with the 2012 elections in mind. STEPHEN MUDIARI
The European Union has lauded the progress of implementing the Constitution but warned a lot needs to be done.
The EU Heads of Mission in Nairobi said Thursday this was especially so with the 2012 elections in mind.
"There’s no doubt that a number of positive developments have taken place...but it has not yet reached the tipping point,” Mr Lodewijk Briet, the head of the EU delegation in Kenya said during a news conference at the Hilton Hotel, Nairobi.
Mr Briet, who led 12 envoys from the European Union countries, said they were particularly worried by the slow pace of enacting crucial Bills that will ensure the smooth electoral process next year.
They proposed that the Bills on political parties, security sector and devolution be prioritised as they had direct impact on polls.
The envoys further expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the exact date of the 2012 General Election and asked Kenyans to agree on the date soon.
However, the Chairman of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) Charles Nyachae assured the envoys that there was no doubt over the issue.
"The agreement on the election date was reached in August last year when Kenyans passed the Constitution.
There’s no contest about that,” said Mr Nyachae.
Mr Nyachae has consistently held the view that according to the Constitution, Kenyans will go to the vote on the second Tuesday of August, every fifth year.
“It is unthinkable that we can consider overshooting the date of elections....That is a recipe for a major crisis which we are in a position to avoid,” said Mr Nyachae.
“Many people suggesting that elections should not be held in August next year…such suggestions indicate that there’s a deliberate efforts to slow down the implementation process.”
Some politicians say that elections can only be held in March 2013, that is 60 days after the expiry of the term of the current Parliament.
Mr Nyachae said Kenyans must be careful not to create unnecessary controversies as this will not be good for the implementation process.
He once again took on Attorney General Amos Wako, accusing him of being an impediment to the implementation of the new law.
