Nairobi — Lang'ata MP Raila Odinga yesterday called for minimum constitutional changes before next year's General Election.

The minimum reforms should include review of constituency boundaries, working out a formula for appointing commissioners of the Electoral Commission of Kenya, and mode of electing mayors and council chairpersons.

The Liberal Party of Kenya (LDP) luminary also said a formula was needed on gender representation in Parliament.

Mr Odinga also criticised what he called plans to cleanse President Kibaki's friends, who have been associated with scandals, so that they can be returned to the Cabinet.

He said the court ruling that absolved Kajiado North MP, Prof George Saitoti, from any wrongdoing in the Goldenberg Affair would soon be followed by "cleansing of others" who were involved in the Anglo Leasing scam.

Mr Odinga said President Kibaki was awaiting such rulings so that he could reshuffle his Cabinet and include those people in it.

"I am not surprised that this is happening... It is the theatre of the absurd...they are now going through the laundry," he added.

Such events, he added, indicated that the Judiciary was on "trial".

His views on minimum constitutional reforms echoed those of Kanu secretary-general William Ruto, who recently argued that it was unrealistic to expect the Government to complete the review before the next elections.

Mr Odinga said the 16 months remaining to the polls were inadequate to finalise a new constitution and implement it.

The former Roads minister, who addressed a Press Conference at a Nairobi hotel, was accompanied by MPs Sammy Weya (Alego Usonga) and Reuben Ndolo (Makadara).

Although the Opposition would have preferred that the constitutional review was completed before the next General Election, the remaining time was insufficient and the Government had been obstructing its realisation.

Speaking on arrival from Australia, Mr Odinga said: "I am realistic enough to know that the anti-reform forces at work will mount many roadblocks en route to this objective. As such, this objective is likely to be unachievable before the next general election."

He added: "On the other hand, one appreciates the necessity for the introduction of minimum reforms aimed at levelling the playing field ahead of the elections."

He dismissed recent remarks by Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Martha Karua that the Government would complete the new constitution review before next polls.

He called on the Parliamentary Committee on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs to spearhead discussions on the minimum reforms.

"As for now, we are asking the departmental committee on legal and constitutional affairs to initiate and spearhead consultations on these issues," added Mr Odinga

He said the case for appointing ECK commissioners was urgent because the tenure of most of them, including the chairman's, was due to expire at various times before the next elections.

"That there is need for an independent Electoral Commission to preside over a free and fair elections cannot be gainsaid. Indeed, it is a sine qua non for the elections," he said.

Mr Samuel Kivuitu's term comes to an end on December 2 next year, while those of nine commissioners, mainly from Kanu end next month. Except for three commissioners whose term ends in 2010, the rest should retire before the election.

Mr Odinga said President Kibaki had already appointed five commissioners in total disregard of the agreement reached in 1997, popularly known as the Inter-Party Parliamentary Group (IPPG).

The IPPG came up with a formula for consultation with political parties, as a result of which, three commissioners each were nominated by Ford-Kenya, the DP and Ford-Asili, and one by the Kenya Social Congress.

The 10 commissioners joined the 11 appointed earlier by then President Moi.

However, the formula was introduced through a miscellaneous amendment to the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Act, but was never enshrined in the constitution. This means that the President, as the constitution stands, has the right to appoint all the commissioners without necessarily consulting anybody.

Some ministers have recently called for the control of the commission arguing that it was "too rogue". Among those who have asked for the control of the ECK are Finance minister Amos Kimunya and assistant ministers Danson Mungatana and Beth Mugo.