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Kenya

Bill to set up new electoral body ready

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 21 – The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) has finalised reviewing three Bills which are critical to the implementation of the new Constitution ahead of Tuesday\’s re-opening of Parliament.

CIC Chairman Charles Nyachae handed over the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill and the Independent Offices Bill to the Attorney General for consideration by the Cabinet.

"CIC having reviewed the Bills and holding stakeholders\’ consultations, we feel we have given our input and we are now requesting the AG to seek Cabinet approval and publish them," said Mr Nyachae.

He added that: "We are requesting that these be finalised and tabled in the National Assembly as soon as it is practically possible."

Attorney General Amos Wako says he will seek the Cabinet\’s input to discuss the three Bills next week.

"I see the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo here and we shall together approach the Cabinet Office so that these three Bills can be considered in one sitting probably next Tuesday… endorsed and published for enactment by Parliament," the AG said.

The IEBC Bill is key to next year\’s elections as it establishes an independent electoral body that will manage elections in the country and conclude the contentious delimitation of constituency boundaries.

The Independent Offices Bill seeks to establish the offices of Auditor General and that of the Controller of Budget. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill on the other hand will set up the commission to be in charge of remuneration of all the government officers.

Parliament should pass the Bill by April 8 and the President must assent to it in a week. The House reopens on Tuesday to a heavy legislative agenda with 14 more Bills waiting to be passed by August.

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Mr Nyachae said CIC is currently evaluating the Elections Bill, the Political Parties Bill and the Supreme Court Bill which he expects to finalise by next month. Mr Kilonzo urged the CIC to prioritise on Family Bills.

"There is need to look at the Marriage Bill, the Matrimonial Property Bill and the Family Protection Bill. These three Bills are very critical in protecting our women and children who have for long been marginalised," said Mr Mutula.

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