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Kamket petitions committee over delayed PM Bill as referendum call gathers steam


Kamket met with the committee led by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah on Thursday where he outlined how his Bill would save the country Sh11 billion in election costs/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 5 – The Budget and Appropriations Committee has renewed its scrutiny into the financial implications of a Constitutional Amendment Bill sponsored by Tiaty MP William Kamket which proposes to among other re-establish the Prime Minister’s post under a parliamentary system.

Kamket met with the committee led by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah on Thursday where he outlined how his Bill would save the country Sh11 billion in election costs.

“I have appeared before the Committee where I wanted to know what they have done with my Bill. What I know is that there has been some power play in trying to suppress that Bill, unfortunately for them those who were trying to play those games, trying to dodge constitutional reforms in this era is like trying to dodge a bullet. Constitutional reforms must and shall happen before the next election,” the Tiaty MP told Capital FM News.

The first-time MP said amending the Constitution is now inevitable and urged the Committee to internalise the proposed constitutional amendments instead of focusing on the issue of money.

“There is a general feeling among Kenyans that we made changes to the former Constitution without taking into consideration so many things. The question of constitutional reforms now is so real it just happens that I fired the first salvo and many more are coming and I believe that in the fullness of time the matter of constitutional review shall be all over and we shall have a constitutional review in this country,” he said.

His sentiments were supported by East African Legislative Assembly MP Abdikadir Aden who called for sobriety while scrutinising salient issues that have been earmarked for amendments.

“When we made our new Constitution as Kenyans, we did so at a time when we were very angry with the kind of regime and government we had. So, we ended up making a very tough Constitution which we now want to perfect through amendments. Let’s not be carried by emotions or other motives this time,” he said.

This is after the Parliamentary Budget Office had earlier this year cautioned that the country will need to Sh20 billion to hold a referendum for citizens to either approve or reject the proposals include scrapping of the 47 Senate and County Woman Representative posts.

Under House Standing Orders the Committee – which is yet to meet the National Treasury on whether the economy can sustain a referendum – has 21 days to consider the Bill and table recommendations in the House.

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