Khalwale: We will reject poll date change
Photo/FILE
Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale said he would mobilise like-minded colleagues to oppose changes to the law meant “to suit selfish interests.”
Kakamega
The Cabinet will have a hard time trying to amend the Constitution in order to have the election date changed, an MP has said.
Parliamentary Accounts Committee chairman Boni Khalwale said the Cabinet must brace for a tough battle to have the amendment Bill passed in Parliament.
Addressing a crowd during a bull fighting contest at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, the Ikolomani MP said he would mobilise like-minded colleagues to oppose changes to the law meant “to suit selfish interests.”
Defeat in House
“I’m talking to colleagues including Martha Karua, Gitobu Imanyara, Danson Mungata, Ekwe Ethuro and Charles Kilonzo over this matter and you can be rest assured we shall defeat the Cabinet course on the floor of the House,” said Dr Khalwale.
The MP said the Cabinet move was not only unconstitutional but also dangerous to the democratic gains realised in the recent past.
The Cabinet wants the election date moved from second Tuesday of August to the third Monday of December every fifth year of the election cycle. (READ: Cabinet moves to change Kenya's election date)
If Parliament amends the law, the next General Election will be held on December 17, 2012.
Last week, Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya sought support for the amendment, arguing that issues such as listing of voters and delay in composition of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission were to blame.
