Cabinet moves to change Kenya's election date

The Cabinet has put in motion steps to change the day Kenyans will vote next year.

In a meeting chaired by President Kibaki Tuesday, the Cabinet approved a Constitution Amendment Bill 2011 that proposes to move the General Election to December. The suggested date is the third Monday of December, which falls on December 17.

The Constitution provides that an election will be held on the second Tuesday, every fifth year.

"Cabinet found the date to be appropriate in view of the government budgetary cycle and the time required for preparations for the next elections, especially in regard to the issue of devolution and delineation of constituencies," said a statement.

It also approved an amendment that will provide "an elaboration on the application and compliance of the requirement of
a minimum one third parliamentary seats for either gender".

At the same time, Cabinet declared two days of national mourning following the Sinai fire tragedy that claimed at least 90 lives.

During the days- Wednesday and Thursday- the national flag shall fly at half-mast "while there will be no celebrations".

The Cabinet also expressed sincere sympathies to the families of those who lost loved ones, wished quick recovery to persons who suffered injuries and sent a message of hope to the many rendered homeless.

It promised government support for those afflicted by the fire tragedy.

Cabinet has also approved the road map and the institutional arrangement for the implementation of the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport Corridor Project (LAPPSET).

The meeting also approved the joint venture in currency printing between the government and De La Rue Currency and Security Printing Ltd.

The government will take a 40 per cent stake in the new company while De La Rue will control 60 per cent of the shareholding.