Chadema MPs John Shibuda and Ms Leticia Nyerere are in Dodoma, and have reportedly registered for the sitting, contrary to their party’s stand. They have, however, not attended any session.
Dodoma. Some members of Coalition of Defenders of the People’s Constitution (Ukawa), which has boycotted Constituent Assembly (CA), have turned up in Dodoma for the sitting which resumed on Tuesday.
Chadema MPs John Shibuda and Ms Leticia Nyerere are in Dodoma, and have reportedly registered for the sitting, contrary to their party’s stand. They have, however, not attended any session.
The Clerk of the Constituent Assembly, Mr Yahya Khamis Hamad, confirmed to The Citizen that Mr Shibuda, who is the Maswa MP, registered on Tuesday and that he was looking forward to joining other members in discussing the Second Draft Constitution.
He said soon after registering, Mr Shibuda informed the Clerk’s office that he would not attend yesterday’s session because his leg was not in good shape.
“I can confirm that Mr Shibuda is here and has already signed the attendance register, but did not attend today’s proceedings,” he said.
Mr Hamad added that Mr Shibuda would be paid only Sh230,000 for accommodation. Those who attend sessions earn an additional Sh70,000 in sitting allowance.
Mr Shibuda promised to clarify the matter today when reached for comment.
“I have a lot to talk about, but today I’m attending a funeral somewhere...be patient,” said Mr Shibuda.
Ms Nyerere was seen arriving at Parliament grounds at around 11am for registration. However, she refused to answer journalists’ questions.
“I’ve no comment, so please leave me alone,” the Special Seats MP said curtly when asked if she would break ranks with her opposition colleagues.
Another Chadema MP, Ms Chiku Abwao, was earlier on Tuesday also seen within the CA precincts but was quick to explain that she had only come for her car. She has not been spotted since.
Slightly more than 400 of the 629 CA members have so far arrived in Dodoma.
Meanwhile, the CA Clerk’s office yesterday released a timetable for sessions. According to the schedule, the sitting will end on October 31, 2014.
The schedule indicates that CA members will use at least 21 days to discuss 15 chapters of Second Draft Constitution starting August 6 to August 27.
CA members will use three days to prepare reports from the various committees and present them before CA in five days.
From September 9 to September 29, members will be engaged in discussing various reports from different committees. The discussions are set to take at least 15 days.
From October 10 to October 21, the CA will use seven days to vote and approve sections of the constitution draft.
In October 31, CA chairman Samuel Sitta will present the proposed constitution to President Jakaya Kikwete.
