Two crucial Bills on the implementation of the Constitution have been presented in Parliament for discussion. Introduced by Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo, the establishment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and that of Salaries and Remuneration Commission bills were tabled.
The IEBC needs time after to set up its office and staff members as well as get funds for civic education on electoral processes, which will also include training on the voting processes and procedure. The commission will be expected to resolve the standoff over the distribution of new constituencies within six months of being set up and provide guidelines on how the IEBC will be constituted, with a few members of the interim bodies it replaces being retained.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission's authority is to set and review the remuneration of all state officers. It has the power to advise the national and county governments on remuneration and benefits of all other public officers too, as stipulated in the constitution. The Commission will also ensure that the compensation bill for the Public Service is sustainable while ensuring that the Public Service attracts and retains competent staff. All this is underway as the time to publicize the bills has been reduced by the government from 14 days to 7 so as to beat deadlines
Nairobi Metropolitan Development Minister Robinson Githae, who moved the Motion to limit the period of publication on behalf of the government, said that the move was aimed at enabling the House to live within the implementation deadlines.
During the opening of the Special Session of Parliament, President Mwai Kibaki urged MPs to pass 33 reform Bills which will be brought before them before the year ends.
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