MPS WILFRED MACHAGE, ASMAN KAMAMA, LEWIS NGUYAI AND SIMIYU ESELI ARE SOME OF THOSE WHO OPPOSED THE BILL TO SET UP A LOCAL TRIBUNAL

By NATION Team 
Posted  Wednesday, February 4  2009 at  21:08

MPs are still divided over the tribunal Bills raising doubts about the possibility of garnering adequate numbers to push them through the floor of the House.

On Wednesday, they advanced cases of sovereignty, independence of the special tribunal and timeliness of convictions to either oppose or support a Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill that seeks to entrench the tribunal in the Constitution.

Some MPs even questioned the rationale for rushing the amendment Bill without proper consultation with the public, saying this would water down the perception, fairness and justice in convictions.

Those who spoke against the Bill were assistant ministers Wilfred Machage and Asman Kamama, Kabete MP Lewis Nguyai (PNU) and Kimilili MP Simiyu Eseli (Ford Kenya).

Cabinet ministers John Michuki and Mohammed Elmi, Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton (Kanu) and Isiolo South MP Abdul Bahari (Kanu) supported the amendment.

Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni pointed out that there was a perception among Kenyans that the tribunal was meant to cushion some politicians from prosecution.

“The victims of the post-poll crisis view all this process as collusion by politicians to shield other politicians,” Mr Kioni said.

His sentiments were supported by Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka who said it was important for justice to be seen to have been done.

Nominated MP Musikari Kombo (PNU) wants the financiers and organisers of the violence to be taken to The Hague with youths who perpetrated petty crimes being tried locally. Debate on the Bills continues this afternoon.

Reports by Caroline Wafula, Alphonce Shiundu, Bernard Namunane and Dave Opiyo