Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga has cautioned MPs against politicising contentious issues in the harmonised draft constitution.

The PM on Wednesday called for sober debate on the issues that are contentious saying the country has reached a defining moment in its history- to adopt or squander an opportunity to have a new constitution.

"This is a constitutional moment. We can either squander this historic opportunity or we can marshal it to enact a people focused constitution and I urge honourable Members of Parliament and the entire national leadership to seize the moment."

However, he warned: "We cannot soberly debate all the issues-contentious or non-contentious is the atmosphere is polluted with unnecessary political posturing, brinkmanship and rancour."

Mr Odinga made the remarks as he took the House through progress in the implementation of Agenda 4 reforms.

He urged Kenyans to carefully read the draft and give feedback to the Committee of Experts in the remaining two weeks.

The PM tabled a status report on the implementation of the reforms dated November 25, as he pleaded with Kenyans to give the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) a chance to ensure the objectives for which it was established are met.

A cross section of Kenyans have criticised and expressed qualms about the commission, starting with the integrity of some of its commissioners and how it was established.

The PM, acknowledging the concerns said: "Although credible doubts have been raised by Kenyans regarding aspects of the law that set it up as well as its composition, I urge all Kenyans not to throw out this baby with the basin."

The current Parliament received glowing tribute from PM, who stated that it has kept the Executive on its toes.

"The intervention of Honourable MPs, though sometimes resented has made the government more responsive to the needs of its citizens," said the PM.

More than any other Parliament in Kenya's history, he said the Tenth Parliament has debated and enacted the highest number of reform-oriented legislation.

He cited the National Accord entrenchment into the Constitution forming the current government as one of such key reforms that the Tenth Parliament enacted as an instrument for peace, reconciliation, national healing and fundamental reforms.

Further, he referred to the various commission, taskforces and initiatives that have been established as a result of decisions emanating from the floor of Parliament.

"The Honourable members of this House have also been relentless in their pursuit for accountability, transparency, good governance and an end to the culture of impunity. You deserve commendations for this," he said.

The current government, he said, was put in place with a specific agenda to pursue reforms and it was appropriate to reflect and evaluate on the progress realised as the second year comes to an end.

The Agenda Four reforms comprises a set of long term reform issues ranging from completion of the constitutional review process, land reforms, carrying out comprehensive institutional reforms, addressing poverty and widespread unemployment, inequalities and addressing past injustices through the TJRC.

It was among four items agreed on at the Serena talks, presided over by chief mediator Kofi Annan and the Panel of Eminent African Personalities.

The PM mentioned the Kazi kwa Vijana programe and investment in improvement of infrastructure, measures to ensure food security through irrigation and livestock management, the national land policy now before the House, electoral, judicial and police reforms and the ongoing constitutional review process in his status report.

He told the House the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission was currently analysing the reports from the provinces and anticipates conducting civic education on boundaries in February.

With regard to police reforms, he said the government was now setting up a committee that will supervise implementation of the report.