Kibaki urges MPs to pass reform Bills

President Kibaki has told Kenyan legislators that they should move with speed to pass at least 10 crucial reform Bills.

While addressing a special sitting of Parliament Tuesday, the President told the MPs that two Bills pertaining to the conduct of the next polls were particularly crucial.

An Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill has been prepared and discussed with stakeholders. It is now ready for tabling.

"The Bill makes provision for effective operation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission including continuous registration of voters, the delimitation of electoral boundaries, registration of candidates and voter education," said President Kibaki.

"The Elections Bill provides for the settlement of electoral disputes arising from nominations, the conduct and supervision of elections and the development of a modern system of collection, collation, transmission and tallying of electoral data.

"These two Bills will safeguard free and fair elections and entrench our democratic system of governance. I, therefore, call upon this august House to debate and pass the bills within the next three months."

The Bills include: The Independent Commissions Bill; Commission on Revenue Allocation Bill; The Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill; The Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill; The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill; The Public Service Commission Bill; The National Land Commission Bill; The Commission on Administrative Justice Bill; The National Police Services Commission Bill; and The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill.

Below are excerpts of live proceedings as brought to you by nation.co.ke

16:02 He tells MPs that the House stands adjourned until Wednesday at 9 am and invites them to lunch.

16:00 Speaker Marende tell MPs that Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to table the Budget Policy Bill on Wednesday.

15: 58 VP Kalonzo Musyoka tables the speech for debate.

15: 56 President Kibaki ends his speech.

15: 55 Kibaki: Our new Constitution has given us the necessary framework to create credible institutions that can serve our needs and deal with past injustices. It is my hope that we shall play our role in ensuring that these institutions are fully operational. 

15: 53 He thanks Kenyan and MPs for embracing national reconciliation and healing.

15: 52 The President says he is aware of challenges Kenya face in dealing with the post election crisis.

15: 49 President Kibaki says the State wiil take affirmative action measures to ensure that the youth have access to education and training; have opportunities to associate, be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life and access employment.

15: 47 The government will submit the National Land Commission Bill and Land Registration Bill to speed development.

15:45 He says government has created a taskforce to collect and collate views from Kenyans over the creation of counties.

15: 43 President Kibaki lists some Bills that will go a long way in providing Kenyans with security. These include the National Security Council Bill, Police Service Commission Bill, National Police Service Bill, Independent Police Oversight Authority Bill and the Private Security Providers Bill.

15: 42 He urges MPs to debate and pass the electoral Bills within three months.

15: 40 Kibaki: As we approach this important event, it is in the interest of all of us to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.

15: 39 He says that the next polls are due in less than two years. 

15: 37 President Kibaki says the following Bills are in the pipeline: The Independent Commissions Bill; Commission on Revenue Allocation Bill; The Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill; The Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill; The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill; The Public Service Commission Bill; The National Land Commission Bill; The Commission on Administrative Justice Bill; The National Police Services Commission Bill; and The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill.

15: 36 He says the Supreme Court Bill is ready and it will establish the Supreme Court and provide for its rules of procedure. 

15:34 In this Session, President Kibaki says government will table additional bills to fast track Judicial reform.

15:33 Kibaki says the Grand Coalition Government is determined to systematically implement the new Constitution. 

15:31 President Kibaki says the House is reconvening at a time when Kenya’s economy is rebounding with an estimated 5.4 per cent growth rate.

15:29 He says the House also passed the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act to applause from MPs.

15:27 Kibaki: They include the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution Act and the Judicial Service Act.

15: 25 The President says he is pleased to note that in its last Session, the House passed 17 Bills.

15:24 He says the legislators should seize the window to go down in history by passing legislation required to implement the Constitution.

15:22 Kibaki: We have reconvened at a critical juncture of our nation’s history. Our new Constitution has renewed our sense of nationhood and given us hope for a brighter future. 

 15: 21 President Kibaki begins his speech and tells MPs that it is his belief that the short recess provided them an opportunity to interact with their constituents.

15:20 Mr Marende invites President Kibaki to make his address.

15: 18 He castigates MPs for taking inordinate delay in taking legislative decisions that neighbouring countries have left us in their wake.

15: 16 He tells MPs that the security situation in the country is worrying and urges the House to deliberate on how to remedy the scenario.

15:14 Mr Marende says, so far, the House has played its part in implementing the Constitution.

15: 12 He interrupts his remarks to allow a group of MPs to make their entrance.

15:10 He tells the House that the realisation of a new Constitution heralded a new dawn for Kenya.

15: 08 Speaker Marende welcomes the MPs back.

15: 04 Heads of different faith continue with praying for Kenya.

15:02 Still on prayers, it is the turn of a Muslim cleric to do offer supplication.

14:59 Bishop Sulumeti of the Catholic Church prays for politicians to show leadership.

14:56 Anglican Archbishop Eliud Wabukala leads the MPs in a word of prayer.

14:55 Mr Marende calls the House to order.

14: 53 The National Anthem is sang again.

14: 52 MPs rise as the President enters the debating chamber alongside Mr Marende.

14:49 Mr Odinga and joint government chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo stroll in .

14:47 It is a packed House as MPs anticipate Kibaki's speech.

14:45 The president's security men are milling around Parliament's entrance awaiting the Head of State's arrival.

14:40 President Kibaki makes his entrance to the House accompanied by Speaker Kenneth Marende and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

14: 38 The President completes his inspection and the National Anthem rents the air.

14: 33 President Kibaki is inspecting a guard of honour.

14: 30 The presidential motorcade makes its way to Parliament Buildings.

14:25 President Kibaki is expected to issue an address to Parliament where he will outline the steps government will take on reforms that will usher peaceful elections in 2012.

His speech, written in collaboration with Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s office, is expected to urge MPs to work expeditiously to pass crucial Bills that will bring the new Constitution into force.

Among the Bills pending are: Elections Bill, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill, Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, the Supreme Court Bill and the Independent Offices Bill.

Others are: Dual Citizenship Bill and the Recall of MPs Bill

The Devolution Bill seeks to entrench County governments. The laws will guide election of the Speaker of County Assemblies, governors, and their removal from office, taxes to be levied and sharing of funds with the central government.

The Independent Offices Bill aims to provide the terms of appointment and service for the offices of the Controller of Budget and Auditor General.

These reform tasks will have to contend with the political battle between the coalition, ODM and PNU, triggered by the impending trial by the International Criminal Court at The Hague of six Kenyans named as key suspects in the post-election violence.