Police break up demo as new draft is tabled in parliament

Nairobi: Dozens of demonstrators were dispersed by riot police yesterday as the contentious new draft Constitution was finally adopted by Parliament. (21-JULY-05).

The demonstrators were protesting at plans by MPs to alter the original Bomas Draft of the Constitution – but their threatened mass action supported by leading politicians failed to materialise. Tear gas backed by water canons was used to disperse the demonstrators as they marched on Parliament to express their anger at the changes.

A demonstration against changes to the draft also took place in Kisumu, where riot police thwarted an attempt by hundreds of residents to march on Nyanza Provincial Headquarters.

Report Tabled
In Parliament, the chairman of the select committee on the review, Mr Simeon Nyachae, tabled the report containing the changes agreed by Government-friendly MPs at their recent meeting in Kilifi, to shouts of, “Shame, shame, shame” and calls of “Traitor”, by some MPs opposed to the alterations.

However, contrary to MPs´ expectations, there was no debate on the Kilifi report in Parliament and Mr Nyachae simply tabled it, awaiting debate to take place probably today (Wednesday).

A major Police Operation
A major police operation to stop the lobbyists comprising  civil society organizations and politicians from making good their promise to disrupt debate was evident from early in the morning. Teams of riot police were stationed on Uhuru Highway, from Nyayo Stadium roundabout to the roundabout near the University of Nairobi, as early as 7am. Parliament was scheduled to start sitting at 2pm.

Other officers in full riot gear had taken positions inside Uhuru Park where the lobbyists were expected to converge before starting their march.  Then in the afternoon, as the House was due to begin sitting, a police cordon was placed around Parliament Buildings with MPs, journalists and other people accessing the chambers from only one gate instead of the usual three.

 Civil rights activists from the Chemi chemi ya ukweli (fountain of truth) movement, National Convention Executive Council (NCEC) and Kenya Human Rights Commission , under the umbrella lobby the Yellow Movement, attempted to march on the House from Parliament Way to express their anger.

Decide the fate
If the debate on the new draft goes ahead today, it is likely to decide the fate of the office of the Prime Minister. Bomas draft wanted a powerful prime minister and a ceremonial President, while the new contentious  draft offered a powerful President.