NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 1 – Two key organs in the implementation of the Constitution have expressed concern over the slow pace of executing the new law.
The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) raised the red flag on Friday noting that there was laxity by the State to implement laws.
CIC Chairman Charles Nyachae told the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee that it was embarrassing that although there are about 25 legislations to be passed within the next five months none is currently under discussions in Parliament.
"We will do anything we can to do away with bureaucracy facing the bills before they come to Parliament," Mr Nyachae said.
He called for a better working relation between the Commission and the National Assembly to facilitate faster processing of Bills.
"We would want to know how you can assist us to see whether Parliament can shorten some time frame which bills pass through in the House," he appealed.
The chairperson of the Kenya Law Reform Commission Kathurima M\’Inoti blamed the delay on bureaucracy in government.
"The CIC is proposing that we adopt a one sitting where we reach all agreements and the documents go for publication instead of the current case where we keep exchanging drafts," he said.
The Chairman of the Oversight Committee Abdikadir Mohammed said Parliament was committed in passing legislation but the State organs were lagging behind.
"When Bills come to Parliament you can be sure we will do our best," he said.
The Oversight Committee Vice Chair Millie Odhiambo added: "We can pass legislations even within one week."
The Commission for Revenue Allocation on its part warned of a crisis in setting up county governments owing to disharmony and lack of a coordinated approach within the executive. CRA Chairman Micah Cheserem told the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee that there was need to address critical issues of staff, finances and infrastructure.
Mr Cheserem now wants the formation of a coordinating committee comprising the Head of Civil Service and Permanent Secretaries in offices of the Prime Minister, Finance, Public Works and Local Government.
"There is now way the Governor can be elected without the civil service and without a treasurer," he said.
He added it was necessary to push the Executive to start making preparations on staff to be seconded to the counties.
MPs joined Mr Cheserem in bashing the Ministry of Public Works in its recent bid to construct county headquarters saying this should wait the election of country assembly members.
"I am wondering which clause of the Constitution that allows the central government on behalf of another government (County government)," said Gichugu MP Martha Karua.
Ms Odhiambo: "If we go the way we are going in creating headquarters we are actually creating small shopping centres instead of getting opportunities for new development."
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