Experts fault renewed push for constitutional review

Anthony Mwangi and Bernard Gitau

Constitutional law experts yesterday criticised the renewed push for amendments to the Constitution which they blamed  on individuals agitating for political convenience to suit them in 2022 elections.

Chairperson of the defunct Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) Prof Yash Pal Ghai and his Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Reform counterpart Abdikadir Mohamed argue that the only remedy to the current constitutional crisis is full implementation of the document.

“The political class is solely to blame. They have done nothing to implement the Constitution,” Abdikadir told members of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee.

Abdikadir told the committee chaired by Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa) that concerns raised by those clamouring for the amendment of the Constitution are that it has become costly to implement.

He noted that although reducing the cost of running government is important, it is not key to amendment of the Constitution. 

Meanwhile, a section of Nairobi residents have opposed the clamour for constitutional changes  in favour of full implementation of the Constitution.

Giving their views on Punguza Mizigo Initiative during the Nairobi County Assembly public participation at Kariokor Social Hall, they termed the bill populist.

So far the bill has been rejected in three counties — Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Homa Bay. Only  Uasin Gishu has endorsed the initiative.