The Standard | Online Edition :: Obama’s hand in draft law

The Standard | Online Edition :: Obama’s hand in draft law


By David Ohito

Details of the discussions between US President Barack Obama, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga can now be revealed.

It has further emerged Obama is likely to visit Kenya once the country finds a way out of the political impasse. The new constitution is anticipated to give direction to the type of political system Kenyans think would promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.

To this effect, Raila on Saturday asked the Parliamentary Select Committee to draw a draft constitution acceptable to all Kenyans before it can be subjected to referendum.

"Next week will be important for Kenyans and we look upon the committee to give Kenyans the desired draft," Raila said in Homa Bay, when he addressed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) branch leaders.

Speaking at the same function, Lands Minister James Orengo said the ODM team in PSC will not let Raila and the party members down and will bring back a draft acceptable to all.

"We will not let you down. We will look at the draft with a toothcomb and give you what you want. We will negotiate and bring back victory," he said.

He said the PSC would continue to seek guidance from the party leadership and the Prime Minister on constitutional making to ensure Kenyans have a constitution that would cater for their needs.

Orengo said the team would countercheck all matters and make sound negotiations on the draft that is acceptable to all members of the party and the leadership.

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo, a member of the PSC, said they have agreed on the contentious issues and will put the interest of Kenyans ahead of those of politicians. "We will give you a constitution acceptable to all. We will work and bring home good results," she said.

In what appears to be a close monitoring of the political situation in Kenya, and change of tack, President Obama telephoned Kibaki and Raila on Thursday night, and pledged to finance the constitutional referendum if a deal was struck.

The US President is said to have made the friendly gesture, saying he was ready to support the country’s quest for a new constitution.

This is a significant departure from the earlier scathing attacks Obama directed at the country’s leadership, which he called weak and lacking in economic and political direction.

On Saturday, the PM confirmed that during the talks, "Obama thought unveiling a new constitution would really lift the spirits of Kenyans, especially if they own it through a referendum."

The conversations between the leaders were exclusively reported in The Standard last Wednesday. The US President is reported to have promised to finance the referendum after fears Kenya might not foot the bill due to budgetary constraints.

"The US President made a commitment that he was ready to do anything, which would help the country to enact a new constitution," said Raila.

A statement from PM’s office said, "Obama spoke as a friend of Kenya, not giving orders to the country. If he agrees to give money for referendum then he is a friend indeed."