Kenyan protesters demand limits to presidential powers in new constitution News
Kenyan protesters demand limits to presidential powers in new constitution

[JURIST] Protesters in Kenya Wednesday demanded a limit to the president's powers as parliament prepared for debate on a new constitution. The protests came after Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki [official website] appeared to hold back from endorsing a draft that would restict the authority of his office. As Kibaki formally opened the parliamentary session, however, he promised lawmakers he would introduce a new constitution and asked MPs not to be divided along political lines. Protesters fear that parliament acting at Kibaki's direction will amend the draft and leave the presidency's powers largely as-is. Kenyans are due to vote on the new constitution in October. The Constitution of Kenya Review Commission [official website] has additional information on the Kenyan constitutional process. BBC News has more.