LSK shocked at neglect of law review

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Story by ODHIAMBO ORLALE
Publication Date: 6/13/2008

There was a mixed reaction to the budget by leaders with some asking why no funds were set aside for the controversial constitutional review process.

The leaders praised Finance minister, Amos Kimunya, but said he should have mentioned the review.

The chairman of the Law Society of Kenya Mr Okongo Omogeni, said he was shocked that Mr Kimunya did not deem it fit to allocate “even a shilling” to the review process.

“How can the Grand Coalition Government talk about national cohesion and healing without allocating a single cent to the review process?”

The LSK boss described the omission as “tragic” and appealed to the minister to clarify the issue.

Mr Kiema Kilonzo (Mutito) and Mr Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West, ODM) said the omission was serious as it was a matter of national importance.

But most ministers and MPs said they were happy with the decision to give priority to infrastructure.

Agriculture minister, William Ruto, said his Finance counterpart deserved a pat on the back for proposing that external bonds be used to fund development projects.

Mr Ruto said he was unhappy that not enough funds had been allocated to his ministry to import fertilisers. He said he would turn to donors.

Information and Communications minister, Mr Samuel Poghisio, said the budget had addressed his needs and he looked forward to setting up village ICTs centres all over the country.

On the proposal by the Finance minister to start taxing the allowances of MPs and holders of constitutional office, Assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri, said he fully supported it.

Others who backed the tax were Mr Musa Sirma (Nominated, ODM), Mr Johnstine Muthama (Kangundo, ODM), Mr Kiema Kilonzo (Mutito, ODM) and Mr Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West, ODM).

They said the time had come for MPs to lead from the front as far as payment of taxes was concerned.

Each of the 216 MPs receives Sh800,000 per month, 70 per cent of it in allowances. They only pay taxes on their Sh200,000 month salary.

But Mr Kiunjuri, who is the MP for Laikipia West, criticised the Finance minister for not allocating enough funds for the resettlement of the 350,000 people whose homes  were destroyed in post-election violence.

“What will Sh0.5 billion do for the victims? It is just a slap in the face for them,” he said.

On the youth fund, he said the minister had allocated “peanuts” and expected him to release Sh5 billion.

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=125259

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