CIC warns MPs against mutilating the Constitution

NAIROBI, KENYA: A key State organ has sounded alarm bells on what it terms a systematic plot by lawmakers to mutilate the four-year-old Constitution.

The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) said it was concerned that the MPs were busy coming up with Bills barely for years after promulgation of the Constitution, yet, some provisions had not even been tested.

The commissioners said the move was selfish and it raised questions on the integrity of MPs.

Addressing a news conference at the commission's offices in Nairobi's Westlands area, CIC chairman Charles Nyachae condemned the planned move to change the Constitution to give MPs control over the Equalisation Fund.

"For the second time, Parliament is seeking to use its constitutional powers to pursue amendments to the Constitution in which it will accrue benefits," said Nyachae.

CIC was non-committal about the Bill to change the election date from second Tuesday of August to second Monday of December.

Nyachae said it was the right of the MPs to change the law, but caution should be exercised adding that there might not be an electoral commission if the date is changed to December.

"The term of the current electoral commission expires in November, 2017," he said.

Then a month later, there will be elections, which would be too early.