Kenya PM: House will seal fate of draft law

Parliament will have a final say on whether to pass the draft constitution as it is or make amendments, Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on Monday.

Mr Odinga called on political leaders to stop fighting one another over the draft, adding that the only way to resolve the issue was through dialogue.

The PM said it was high time politicians ironed out their differences and agree on the draft to enable Kenyans have a new constitution.

“It is a must that Kenyans get a new constitution this year. We must therefore embrace dialogue so as to achieve this historic moment,” he added.

He called on MPs to stop infightings over the draft constitution, saying they would have time to debate on the matter on the floor of the house.

Mr Odinga noted that the legislators would decide whether to pass the draft as it is or whether to make amendments.

“I don’t see the reason why we should fight one another over the draft constitution. This is a matter which can be resolved amicably through dialogue,” the PM said.

“When the draft is brought before parliament we shall have the opportunity to either pass it as it is or make amendments,” he added.

Mr Odinga said even the Lancaster House constitution was amended 50 times while that of the US was amended 36 times.

The PM made the remarks at Mombasa Town Hall shortly after he met 42 local civic leaders led by mayor Ahmed Mohdhar.

He was accompanied by ODM organising secretary Hassan Ali Joho, assistant minister Ramadhan Kajembe, MPs Masoud Mwahima (Likoni) and Omar Zonga of Msambweni.

On the Matuga parliamentary by-election, the MP said ODM will fully support an aspiring candidate, Hassan Mwanyoha.

Mr Odinga assured Coast ODM MPs that he would rally behind them to ensure the party captures the seat.

“The ODM party will back Mr Mwanyoha during the Matuga by-election. We shall do what we can to ensure ODM wins the seat with a landslide,” he said.

Mr Joho said Coast MPs have already started to campaign vigorously for Mr Mwanyoha to help him win in the by-election.

The Kisauni MP added that Mr Mwahima and Mr Zonga who hail from the South Coast are championing the campaigns by wooing Matuga electorates to vote for Mr Mwanyoha.

Former Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere lost the seat in a court petition. Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende recently declared the Matuga parliamentary seat vacant.