Dave Opiyo

7 September 2010

Nairobi — Kenya is seeking the support of the international community to prepare crucial Bills that will bring into force the new Constitution.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Tuesday the government was experiencing a serious shortage of legal drafters at the Attorney General's chambers.

The PM said the country needed more experienced foreign legal drafters to join the government team that is preparing 49 Bills required for the process.

Attorney General Amos Wako is set to fly to London, England to negotiate the deal that will see the the foreign team join drafters, whose membership is drawn from the AG's chambers and the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC).

Lawyer Kathurima M'Inoti and Chief Parliamentary Counsel Nancy Nzioka are leading the government team preparing the Bills.

"The country needs support in implementing the new Constitution. For instance, we require technical expertise in drafting the necessary Bills and also for civic education to enable Kenyans fully understand the new law," said the PM at his Shell and BP offices where he hosted former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright, the chairperson of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

"By asking for support in drafting the Bills, we do not want to encourage inbreeding. It is not beneficial to the country which is keen on benefiting from the experiences of other countries."

Mr Odinga said the endorsement of the new constitution at the August 4 referendum marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the country, but cautioned that the implementation of the new laws requires dedication, commitment and sacrifice.

He said Kenya stood to benefit immensely from the NDI, adding the US had a long history of devolved system of government with well functioning democratic institutions we could draw from.

Noting that this was the first time the NDI was holding its board meeting outside the US, the PM said it was in recognition of the changed political situation in the country and a great honour to Kenya.

He lauded the US for standing with Kenya during the constitutional making process, noting through political parties, nongovernmental organisations and civil societies, the US has contributed immensely to the country's democratisation process.

Mrs Albright said by holding its first board meeting in Kenya, the organisation was underlining its joy in the transformation in the country with the passing of the new law.

She pledged the NDI's support in anchoring the constitution in Kenya, saying a lot of work was needed to implement the new Constitution and that they "will be very eager and happy to help" in the process.

Mrs Albright was accompanied by former US Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle and US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger, among others.

Additional reporting by PMPS.