NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 16 – A meeting chaired by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday resolved to include those who opposed the new Constitution in the implementation process.
The two-hour meeting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre resolved that it was important for the unity of the country for the opposing teams to work together.
“Formulation of the committees as outlined by the new Constitution, will be done in a consultative and inclusive manner and we will all work together to ensure success of the implementation process,” said Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta after the meeting.
He further said that MPs agreed to exercise unity across the country and work together in the implementation of the new Constitution.
“Right now the emphasis is on the implementation of the new Constitution. The signing of the new Constitution is a very important event comparable to that of ushering in of a new Republic in 1963,” Mr Kenyatta said.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party leader William Ruto who led campaigns against the new Constitution was among MPs who attended the talks.
He said he was ready to work in the implementation process despite his ‘No’ stand during the referendum.
“We had a very good meeting that went across the Red and Green divide. We all agreed that we are moving past that point and now we are moving to a new dispensation to implement the new Constitution and to progressively on what was passed by the people of Kenya,” he said.
ODM’s decision to punish those who did not support the Constitution appeared to falter, after party chairman Henry Kosgey said the members were no unanimous on the decision as some felt that rebel members should face disciplinary action, while others felt it was within their democratic right to differ with the party on its position on the Constitution.
“There are people within the party who feel action should be taken, there those others who feel because of a united country, that we should now forge ahead to build a united country,” he said.
Parliament will begin work on the necessary legislations to give effect to the new Constitution after the document is promulgated next week on Friday.
MPs have already started lobbying to be included as members of the parliamentary committee with scheming to lock out Mr Ruto and others who campaigned against the approved Constitution.
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