Respect the Constitution

What you need to know:

  • The National Assembly has been recalled from recess for special sittings called to deliberate on various pending pieces of legislation critical to the implementation of the Constitution.

The National Assembly has been recalled from recess for special sittings called to deliberate on various pending pieces of legislation critical to the implementation of the Constitution.

That some of the laws intended to breathe life into the new constitutional order are overdue is a sad reflection on the performance of Parliament as a player towards realisation of the hopes and dreams of millions following the overwhelming “Yes” vote in the 2010 referendum.

The Legislature and all other institutions involved in the making of laws must, therefore, move with haste to ensure that no more time is wasted.

Of particular importance is that the haste required to meet the deadlines must not be used as an excuse for those who wish to sabotage the Constitution and roll back the gains expected of the new dispensation.

We have already seen, for instance, manoeuvres aimed at diluting or doing away with the Constitutional requirement for gender parity in elective and appointive posts.

Such tactics must not be allowed to stand. Parliament must move to ensure the implementation of the Constitution that was voted for by the people of Kenya.