Kenyans divided on call for law changes

The statement by President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) during the 57th Madaraka Day address at State House, Nairobi, hinting on the need for a constitutional change has elicited mixed reactions from church leaders, constitutional experts and other leaders.

President Kenyatta said it was time to change the constitution to correct what went wrong in the making of the 2010 Constitution. 

“I am already discerning a constitutional moment. Not a moment to replace the 2010 Constitution, but one to improve on it. A moment that will right what we got wrong in 2010,” he said.

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua yesterday opposed the need for constitutional change, saying there was no justifiable reason to review the 2010 Constitution.

The former Justice Minister said the 2010 Constitution had not been properly implemented.

Karua’s sentiments were echoed by Bishop Peter Njao, the chairperson of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, Nairobi chapter, who questioned the motive in the push for changes.

“What is the point of making changes when nobody is obeying the laws?" Bishop Njao told The Standard. 

Evangelical churches presented proposals on constitutional changes to the Building Bridges Initiative taskforce and recommended reduction in political representation in government.

But Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo supported constitutional amendment "to increase revenue allocation to counties".

Bobby Mkangi, a constitutional expert, said Kenyans will decide whether or not the Constitution should be amended.