NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10 – The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) on Tuesday repeated its warning to Parliament and the Executive to ensure timelines for the execution of the new law are met.
The appeal by Chairman Charles Nyachae comes barely a day after CIC released new dates for enacting priority implementation Bills.
Addressing a workshop on land and environment provisions in the new Constitution, Mr Nyachae said that the timelines were specific and must be met.
"We don\’t have that option of being slow. We must ensure that we get the quality and content of the legislation," he said. "Let\’s not just have timelines for the sake of timelines."
At the same time, Mr Nyachae called for an end to the political squabbles in the parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs Committee saying that it was impacting negatively on the timely implementation of the new Constitution.
"We will continue to urge them to let this implementation process take centre stage so that even what is being discussed out there whether it is in rallies during the weekend or press conferences," he said.
He has also urged Kenyans to remain vigilant to ensure the implementation process is not overshadowed by sideshows.
"If your voice as Kenyans is not heard then those of us who are involved in the process at various levels may relax and priorities may shift," he said.
Top on the list of the new implementation timelines published by the Commission are Bills related to the conduct of elections.
According to the timelines, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill which is in the debate stage in Parliament should be enacted by this Sunday; the Commission also wants the Salaries and Remuneration Bill which is yet to be debated to be passed by the same period.
The CIC further wants the Supreme Court Bill to be passed by the end of May. A statement by the Commission says that the timelines are for priority legislations that needs to be passed between now and August 26.
The timelines have been agreed on by the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC), the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC), the Attorney-General\’s office, ministries and Parliament to expedite preparation and passage of the Bills.
The Commission further explains that prioritizing of the laws envisaged in Schedule 5, consideration was also given to need to enact legislation which although not listed as priority is necessary to facilitate free and fair elections and setting up devolved government structures.
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