By Mzalendo Contributor (@mmajiwa)
Last week, in an unprecedented move, parliament opened for 24 hours and then went back on recess. The given reason - there was no business for members to transact and therefore no reason to keep the legislators in House.
But lets review:
- The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is still to be fully established. The deadline for its establishment is way overdue. The constitution required that the JSC be set up within 60 days of promulgation i.e. October 27th last year. Judicial Service Bill and Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill also waiting debate.
- The Supreme Court still needs to be established this is no small task. The constitutional deadline for the setting up of the court is one year after promulgation that makes the deadline August 2011.
- The positions of Chief Justice and Attorney General become vacant in February and March both the yet to be formed JSC and parliament play a big part in filling the upcoming vacancies.
- The tribunal that is to vet judges and magistrates still needs to be formed.
- Salaries and Remuneration Commission still needs to be set up. The constitution requires that it be set up 9 months after the date of promulgation i.e. by May 2011.
- The constitutional deadline for the establishment of the Independent Electoral andBoundaries Commission, Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission, The Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission is one year after promulgation i.e. September 2011.
- There is also pending legislation. Legislation on elections, electoral disputes, political parties, legislation on citizenship, legislation on vacation by MPs, legislation governing the new judicial system, legislation on the vetting of judges, and legislation governing devolution of government.
- The Police Reform Bills tabled by internal security Minister George Saitoti still need to be debated. In light of recent incidents involving the police this is more urgent than ever.
- The daunting task of establishing a devolved government before the next election still remains. The debate on the new 80 constiuencies and their boundaries is also pending.
The issues listed above exclude the normal day-to-day business of parliament. So contrary to the claim that there is no business to transact, it seems there is too much business to transact! The sheer magnitude of what parliament needs to accomplish this year warrants their immediate return to work.
Posted by Mzalendo Editor on Jan. 25, 2011
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