20100403
africanews

Kenyans edged closer to realising their dream for a new constitution, after the East African nation's parliament passed the harmonised draft constitution that had been presented by a Committee of Experts.
Kenya parliament
It took the intervention of the two principals, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to whip their foot soldiers to pass the draft, after an acrimonious three-day debate that saw over 250 clauses of the 350-plus clauses facing amendments.

This therefore means that it is upon Kenyans to decide with their votes in an expected referendum whether they want the draft constitution or not. Most parliament erians gave up trying to make changes to the proposed chttp://www.africanews.com/site/insert_topic/764onstitution and approved it by acclamation at 9:05pm, after a protracted tussle that lasted the whole day.

President Kibaki, for the first time in Kenyan history, stood up during the heated debate to make a contribution as the member of parliament for Othaya. This is the first time that a sitting president has contributed in the parliamentary proceedings. "Let us pass it, let us make that step forward. I am sure later on, when we have another occasion to amend it, you will improve on it. As of now I am very grateful to you, let is pas it as it is."

Before the passing of the draft constitution, there had been a three day standoff amongst MPs, as some sought to ammend the document while the rest opposed. But on Wednesday, all withdrew their motions and passed it through acclamation.

Amongst the contentious issues that have raised a storm over the draft include the clause that seeks to state that life begins at birth, while moralists-led by the religious community- insist that life begins at conception.

The Catholic Church in kenya has threatened to rally its faithfuls and other Christians to oppose the draft.

Other issues concern include the setting up of the Kadhi courts, and devolution.