MR OGINGA ODINGA AND MEMBERS OF HIS GROUP READING THE PUBLISHED BILL FOR AN ACT AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION; MR ACHIENG ONEKO, DEPUTY PUBLICITY SECRETARY OF MR ODINGA'S NEW PARTY; MR C. MAKOKHA, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE PARTY READING STATEMENT.




Initials RM/V/CCT/K



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Background: KENYA'S UPPER AND LOWER HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT IN NAIROBI ARE TODAY (THURSDAY) DEBATING PRESIDENT KENYATTA'S PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION TO FORCE THE FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT OGINGA ODINGA AND HIS FOLLOWERS TO RESIGN THEIR SEATS AND SEEK RE-ELECTION. THIS FOLLOWS THE ODINGA GROUP'S PROTEST RESIGNATION FROM THE GOVERNING KENYA AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION AND THE FORMATION OF THEIR OWN PARTY, THE KENYA PEOPLE'S UNION.

MR ODINGA HAS ASSUMED THE ROLE OF PRESIDENT OF THE NEW PARTY. HIS SUPPORTERS IN PARLIAMENT NOW NUMBER ABOUT 20, ACCORDING TO LATEST REPORTS. SEVERAL EARLIER WITHDREW THEIR RESIGNATIONS WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR THAT PRESIDENT KENYATTA INTENDED TO OUST THEM FROM PARLIAMENT.