Nairobi — Two Cabinet ministers and an MP have asked their colleagues to set aside their party interests when discussing the new constitution.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Forestry minister Noah Wekesa and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa said diverse interests would scuttle constitution-making and deny Kenyans a chance to get the document they had been seeking over many years.

Mr Mudavadi, also the Local Government minister said politicians should familiarise themselves with the contents of the draft constitution when it is taken before Parliament, to make informed choices.

"Soon, we shall have Committee of Experts (CoE) present the draft constitution before the house for adoption. We should not let PNU/ODM interests pull the strings, but make decisions based on a thorough understanding of the document," said the minister.

He said it was unfortunate that for about 20 years, Kenya has been talking about the new constitution at the expense of other development issues such as agriculture and improvement of the road network.

Dr Wekesa said Kenyans should not expect a constitution that was perfect for everyone. "No country can have such a constitution. All we need is a better constitution from the current on," said the minister.

He said Kenyans should have the new constitution by next year so that the country can start on a new path after having strengthened its institutions of governance.

Mr Wamalwa said it was only by having the new constitution in place that the country's governance process can be improved for the better.

The Committee of Experts is preparing the final draft of the constitution so that it can be published for the public to comment on it for a period of 30 days. Contentious issues according to the team include the Executive, Legislature and devolution of power, but not the kadhi courts.