BBC News | AFRICA | Kenya elections 'could be delayed'

The man charged with drawing up a new constitution for Kenya says elections which had been expected before the end of this year, could now be delayed until April 2003.

Professor Yash Pal Ghai said the Review Commission, which he heads, will not be able to finish drawing up a new constitution by October - the deadline set when the Commission started work two years ago.

"We do not think we can complete it in time," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa.

"We have not indicated how much more time we should need," Professor Ghai added.

Lengthy process

He says the government of President Daniel arap Moi now faces a number of options.

President Daniel arap Moi
Moi cannot run for re-election but still dominates politics
It could hold the elections this year under the current constitution, but with changes to the electoral system.

Or the government could delay the poll until a few months after the five-year term of the Kenyan parliament ends in February 2003.

To explain the delay in drawing up a new constitution, Professor Ghai said it took more time than anticipated to consult all the parties involved, including church and opposition groups.

Professor Ghai was a Hong-Kong based lawyer when he was appointed in 2000 to head Kenya's Review Commission.

He has been involved in drafting constitutions in a number of countries, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Cambodia.


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