By Waihenya Kabiru BBC, Nairobi

In Kenya, more than 600 delegates have started to debate a draft constitutional document on Wednesday.

President Kibaki may not be able to stand for a second term

President Mwai Kibaki has officially opened the session in the capital, Nairobi.

The debate, which will last for several weeks, finally kicks off after several legal attempts to scuttle a process which began early last year.

The draft calls for radical changes on issues of governance and accountability, and is a reflection of the persistent clamour for change in the country.

The document was drawn up by the Constitutional Review Commission under chairman Yash Pal Ghai after a consultation exercise involving members of the Kenyan public.

The delegates include the 223 members of parliament and representatives from political parties, religious groups and members of the civil society.

There has been a heated public debate on some of the contentious issues in the draft even before the conference kicks off.

All Kenya's MPs are invited to the opening session

The creation of the post of a prime minister and the entrenchment of the Islamic Kadhi courts into the new constitution are some of the key issues likely to be debated intensively by delegates.

The issue of putting a maximum age limit on presidential candidates has also created a storm, because its adoption would automatically rekindle a succession debate in the country.

President Mwai Kibaki is 71 years old and he would be barred from seeking a second term if the clause were adopted.

There has been intense lobbying among ruling party members of parliament and those from the Kanu opposition, especially on the issue of whether there should be an executive prime minister.

The Christian and Muslim religious groups have also differed over whether the Islamic Kadhi courts should have their jurisdiction expanded.

At the moment, the Kadhi courts deal with domestic issues such marriage and divorce.