A vocal ODM member of Parliament has rejected proposals recommended by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) task-force moments after its launch.
Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina expressed his displeasure with certain sections of the report, saying they promote an “imperial presidency.”
President Kenyatta urged leaders across the political divide to strike a reconciliatory tone even as they seek to look for solutions to the problematic election cycles.
We maintain the Status quo for now! If we implement the report the way it is, we will devide kenya further … there is no way I will support a report that creates an imperial presidency – no way!
— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) November 27, 2019
In the new proposals, a President will be elected by popular vote.
The President will, however, appoint a Prime Minister from among the elected members of Parliament.
After being approved by members of the Parliament, the Prime Minister will be in charge of Government business both in the House and on the ground.
S/he would chair sub-committees for Cabinet Ministers who will be appointed both within and without of the Parliament.
The President will still remain the Head of Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
A Deputy President will be the President’s chief assistant while the Prime Minister will be assisted by a Principal Secretary in charge of the technical aspects of running the ministries.
Among other recommendations by the task-force are that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) be disbanded and another body be formed.
Similarly, public officers shall be barred from doing business with the Government to avoid conflict of interest and curb corruption.
Corruption whistle-blowers will also be rewarded with 5 per cent of all recovered proceeds of corruption while the media will be emboldened to unearth corruption cases.