Nairobi — The Grand Coalition government risks being seen as selfish if it does not deliver the new constitution, Internal Security minister George Saitoti has warned.

"If we do not give Kenyans a new constitution, they will perceive that the government does not have their interests at heart," Prof Saitoti added.

He argued that the time was now ripe for the country to have a new constitution and challenged MPs, irrespective of their party affiliations, to focus on ensuring that this is achieved.

Cast in stone

Speaking in Ugenya District, he said that the harmonised draft constitution is not cast in stone and there was need for debate to resolve contentious issues.

Similar sentiments were expressed separately by the vice-chairman of the parliamentary select committee on constitutional review, Mr Ababu Namwamba, who wants the contentious issue of devolution of power between the president and the prime minister resolved.

"We don't want a constitution that could lead to chaos and that is why we want clear separation of powers between the two offices," said Mr Namwamba at Marenga Beach in his Budalang'i constituency.

Elsewhere, Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya on Sunday said that Kenya does not need an executive premier, imperial president or hybrid system of government. Mr Oparanya instead rooted for a parliamentary system of governance, arguing that two centres of power would be a recipe for political unrest in the future.

Speaking at Buchenya grounds in Butere, he also faulted a proposal to scrap the provincial administration, saying that the move would diminish the government's presence at the grass roots. Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia said that his ministry would present a memorandum to the Committee of Experts against the plan to abolish the provincial administration.

In a related development, Higher Education assistant minister Asman Kamama has said that the dual citizenship provided for in the draft constitution will promote employment among the youth. Mr Kamama said that the provision made it possible for the youth to expand their search for job opportunities in other countries.

Reported by Cosmas Butunyi, Ouma Wanzala, John Shilitsa and Abiud Ochieng'