Review panel outlines contentious issues

What you need to know:

The experts on Kenya constitutional review say type of government, devolution of power and the transitional arrangements are most contentious and have invited views from Kenyans

Kenyans have been invited to give their views on what kind of government the country should have, devolution of power and the transitional arrangement of a new constitution.

The Committee of Experts on the Constitution review process have identified the three as the contentious issues that need to be agreed on before they draft a new constitution.

“Having carefully debated and discussed these documents, the committee has unanimously identified these as the issues that are contentious and not agreed upon,” the experts said on Thursday.

The experts says that those interested in sending their view have until the end of the month to do so. The memoranda can be sent to the committee’s offices in Nairobi or can be emailed through [email protected]

The experts want Kenyans to give views on whether they prefer a presidential, parliamentary or hybrid system of government. The issue of the kind of government that the country should have was one of the major reasons that led to the rejection of a new constitution during the 2005 referendum.

The experts also want to know from Kenyans what they believe the relationship between parliament and the executive should be under a presidential system. In a presidential form of government, the president is directly elected by the people and is head of state and government.

“Whatever system is chosen, what are the best ways of ensuring that all Kenyan people and communities are properly represented and served and that the executive is properly accountable?” the experts led by senior counsel Nzamba Kitonga enquire.

The experts are also seeking opinions on how power should be devolved in the country and how many levels of government should exist.

They are also seeking view on what transitional arrangements should be put in place when the new constitution is enacted.