constitution of kenya review commission (ckrc ... - ConstitutionNet

24public knowledge. Please utilize the time doing your work like we have observed you doing the last two days and give us a newConstitution by December. Thank you.Com. Nancy Baraza: Thank you very much. We would want to clarify a few things. Dr. Maranga?Comm.Dr. Maranga: The first question. I want to ask Mheshimiwa about equitable distribution of resources. You knowthere have been very gross imbalance of this distribution of resources, what methods are you going to use for example toredistribute like for example; If there are some tarmac roads in a given area, how are we going to transfer the same to NorthEastern and may be other places?Honourable Martha Karua: In re-distribution of resources, I call for Affirmative Action in budgetary allocation. The way toachieve an equality in enjoying the services we get from the government, we will look at the areas that have been marginalized,especially the arid and semi-arid areas in terms of health, schools and infrastructure. Every year we should be able to make abudgetary allocation over and above the budgetary allocation given to other areas to help them catch up with the level ofdevelopment. If we don’t do this, we will never have one cohesive nation.Com. Dr. Maranga: Similarly I want you to explain how we are going to re-distribute land.Honourable Martha Karua: Now the feelings, I want to say that.. to begin by saying, the land that must be acquiredimmediately is all idle land. Then the government can re-distribute to those who do not have land. There is no reason why forinstance in Nairobi we are having people crowded in Korogocho, Mathare valley and Kibera while some individuals havereceived free allocation of over 200 acres within the boundaries of Nairobi from the government. It means there are morecitizens who are more equal than others. If we also develop all our areas, urban migration will be fenced. If we had industriesright here in Kianyaga, our people who have left schools may not wish to go to Nairobi. So, we will not be creating theurban-poor.Com. Dr. Maranga: My last question is on this issue of Presidential tenure. You know that is y very well conceived. Thecurrent President must not vie for the Presidency, how do you want us to do that?Honourable Martha Karua: I do not begin to think that it is a controversial clause. Our Constitution as it stands today bansMoi from vying for elections again, because he has already served two terms. But because we have become dishonest aseducated people in our interpretation, there are those who might argue, like they argued in 1992, that now this is a newConstitution we begin counting the terms here. So we need a transition clause saying that the current office holder,…the currentPresident having served the two terms under the old Constitution, the current Constitution, is not eligible to serve under the newConstitution.