Minister faults move to scrap senator’s post

A plot to scrap the Senate is a bid to sabotage the new Constitution, Planning Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth has said.

Mr Kenneth accused Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni of advancing a scheme to scuttle the Constitution by constantly amending it.

“It is now clear the Watermelons are working together with the No campaign to sabotage the Constitution by introducing amendments at every stage,” he said.

Watermelon was used during the referendum campaigns to describe politicians who publicly supported the Yes campaign but secretly backed the No team.

It was borrowed from the watermelon fruit, green on the outside and red inside.

Mr Kioni is said to be working with a group of MPs from central Kenya to develop the constitutional amendments to scrap the senate.

The Ndaragwa MP argues that Senators have no clear mandate under the new Constitution and that Parliament can easily play their role, if any.

He also argues that the establishment of the Senate will place a huge burden on the taxpayer, who is already grappling with increased cost of living.

“The Senate is part of an extravagant governance structure which is very expensive,” Mr Kioni argues in the proposed constitutional amendment.

On Tuesday, Mr Kenneth asked the opponents of the new Constitution to stop sabotaging its implementation by sponsoring motions to mutilate the document.

He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant to ensure the Constitution they voted for is implemented fully.