Nairobi — The team formed to review boundaries will base its work on the 46 legally recognised districts. The move is likely to create conflict with the Executive after President Kibaki created more districts, with the current number standing at 258.

"Our starting point will be the 46 legal districts. But we will listen to the views of every Kenyan when we begin public hearings," Mr Andrew Ligale, the chairman of Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission, said yesterday.

He was speaking in Nairobi when he unveiled the timetable of the commission, which will start meeting leaders in the provinces from next week.

Besides reviewing administrative boundaries, such as those of districts, the commission is also expected to review constituency boundaries in line with the recommendations of the Kriegler Commission, which investigated the conduct of the disputed 2007 General Election.

The team will meet provincial administrators, political and religious leaders as well as community elders and civil society representatives. Recently, the High Court of Kenya in Kisii delivered a landmark ruling that invalidated districts created after 1992.

In the case, three residents had challenged the legality of the newly-created Nyamira North District. They asked the court to declare all districts created after the enactment of the Districts and Provinces Act, 1992, unconstitutional and, therefore, non-existent in law.

On Friday, Mr Ligale said that although the new districts are illegal, they would nonetheless ask for the views of the public.

The first leaders' meeting will be held in Kisumu on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the commission will be in Kakamega. The last meeting with leaders will be held on November 5 in Nakuru.

Mr Ligale said that public hearings would begin in December, adding that preliminary recommendations could be in place by August 2010.