KENYA National Congress presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth has called on MPs to debate the Leadership and Integrity Bill 2012 with sobriety, urgency and the interest of the nation at heart. Kenneth warned MPs that any attempt to dilute the Bill to undermine Chapter Six of the constitution must be resisted. "It is only through proper legislation and full implementation of the letter and spirit of the constitution that Kenya will realise the promise of a democratically stable and prosperous nation," Kenneth said in a statement yesterday.

He challenged MPs that passing Bills related to constitution implementation will be a priority as Legislature and the Executive. Parliament resumes tomorrow after a one month recess and they have less than a month to debate crucial Bills for the implementation of the constitution whose deadline is August 27. Apart from the Leadership and Integrity Bill, 2012, the others are : The Assumption to Office Bill, 2012, and the Right to Petition Parliament Bill 2012.

The national security related Bills are the National Intelligence Service Bill 2012, the National Security Council Bill 2012 and the Kenya Defence Forces Bill 2012. "The House is also being presented with a golden opportunity to legislate and reform the national security organs," he said, warning that the security of Kenyans cannot be compromised. "Kenyans are well aware of the major national security challenges the country has been experiencing including the terrorist threats posed by the al Shabaab. As MPs, we must ensure the security organs are in line with the Constitution," he added.