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VP says Ligale boundaries not fair

RUNYENJES, Kenya, Nov 21 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka wants Parliament to ensure that fairness prevail in the creation of 80 new constituencies to end a major political row over the issue.

Mr Musyoka said Parliament should come up with a solution to ensure the new electoral units are distributed in an equitable manner across the country.

"Justice must be done to all Kenyans as far as the creation of the new constituencies is concerned. There should be fairness for all in this matter,\’\’ he said.
 
Speaking during a funds drive in aid of Kamuthuago Christian women group in Runyenjes constituency on Saturday, the Vice President urged leaders to work together to resolve the standoff.
 
Mr Musyoka warned that the creation of the new constituencies should not be used as a political weapon.
 
"I am optimistic that a lasting solution will soon be achieved after MPs make bridges in Parliament over the matter,” he said.
 
He said it was unfair that the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC) chose not to create new constituencies in the Upper Eastern region.

Mr Musyoka also urged those given the responsibilities to be in charge of public commissions to always ensure fairness and justice in their work.
 
"Leaders should always learn to speak the truth at all times and not behave like a weather station which is unpredictable at times,\’\’ said the VP.

He said it is time Kenyans concentrate on the implementation of the new constitution for accelerated development and avoid activities which can derail the process.
 
"Let\’s not begin to implement the new law with issues on the other side which can create suspicion among us,\’\’ the VP said.
 
Area MP Cecily Mbarire who is also Tourism assistant minister opposed the new constituencies and urged the Government not to gazette them.

High Court judge Justice Jeanne Gacheche last Friday issued yet another order barring the gazettment of the 80 new constituencies, after 11 MPs moved to court claiming bias by the IIBRC.

Among the lawmakers who have filed the case are assistant ministers Mbarire, David Musila, Peter Kenneth, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Ferdinand Waititu; MPs Ephraim Maina, and Johnson Muthama.

They claim that unless the court intervenes and blocks the publication of the new constituency boundaries, the security and liberty of many Kenyans will be jeopardised leading to an unfavourable political climate.

"The demarcation undertaken by IIBRC has raised the political temperature so much that the muddled up and the total disregard of the social, cohesion and political recovery the Kenyan society is undergoing following the 2007 post election violence is at risk of being reversed," they said.

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On Tuesday Justice Gacheche granted a similar order after Nairobi businessman Joseph Kimanthi raised complaints on the credibility of the commission\’s report on the basis that three of the commissioners were not qualified to hold the offices.

The latest order will be in force until the 25th of this month when the matter comes up before the court for hearing.

The MPs have also added voice to Mr Kimanthi\’s complaints and said that the chairman of the Commission Andrew Ligale and two of his commissioners ought to have resigned after the new constitution came into force with new provisions which disqualifies him from holding the office since he was MP for Vihiga between 2002 and 2007.

"Hon Ligale has continued to participate in the activities of IIBRC in contravention of the Constitution," Mr Maina said. 

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