CIC asks for extension to review Finance Bill - The Standard

Published on 20/08/2011

By Athman Amran

The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) is seeking 30 more days for the review and passage of the Public Finance Management Bill.

CIC chairman Charles Nyachae said it is now clear that it is impossible for the Bill to be passed by Parliament by the August 26 constitutional deadline.

Nyachae said the CIC has already written to the Attorney General asking him to move a Motion in Parliament requesting the extension.

?The extension will facilitate a thorough review of the Bill, including subjecting it to stakeholders? critique in line with the values of the Constitution,? Nyachae said at a Press conference in Nairobi, yesterday.

The CIC came to the decision at an ongoing retreat in Karen to harmonise the PFM Bill.

Common approach

It had sought the help of consultants after failing to agree a common approach or a consolidated Bill or proposal on a consolidated approach by the Executive.

?Efforts to get the matter resolved at the highest levels of Government, including seeking the intervention of the President and the Prime Minister have not been successful,? Nyachae said.

He said due to such delays and difficulties, sticking to the deadline would undermine the quality of the Bill and compromise the values that the Constitution requires in the generation of the legislation.

Nyachae said the Bill is complex and would have an impact on the entire process of constitutional reform and in particular devolution of governance.

He, however, said the commission has completed all Bills that were to be passed by August 26.

?In view of the circumstances around the Finance Bill, it is the considered opinion of CIC that the extension sought is in the public interest,? Nyachae said.

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Source: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000041242&cid=4&

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