No quorum again

Imenti Central Member of Parliament Gitobu Imanyara bill seeking to establish a local tribunal to try post-election violence suspects suffered a second setback in Parliament Wednesday due to quorum hitch.

Debate on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill was halted 30 minutes before it was concluded with only 12 MPs present.

Tetu MP Francis Nyammo notified the speaker at 11.36 am of lack of quorum forcing the house to adjourn before the scheduled time.

Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale had led an onslaught against the bill claiming Kenyans favor The Hague over a local tribunal to try suspects.

Khalwale said the house would be engaging in double speak if it adopts again the bill after rejecting a similiar one in January.

His sentiments were supported by Mukurweini MP Kabando was Kabando who wants the suspects tried at The Hague.

MPs Ndiritu Muriithi, David Ngugi, Mohammed Affey, Sheikh Mohammed Dor, and Rachel Shebesh supported the bill.

The bill has faced several hitches with legislators expressing reservations over the capability of a local mechanism in ensuring justice is meted on both masterminds and the PEV suspects.

Last week Members of Parliament boycotted debate on the crucial bill.

All but 18 MPs stayed away from House during debate.

The bill has also sent shivers in the cabinet as it proposes that top government officials resign from their positions once mentioned as suspects, removal of the President's immunity to prosecution and reduction of the powers of the Attorney General and the Chief Justice among others.