Politics
Debate centres around sharing of power between president and prime minister
Posted Sunday, November 22 2009 at 22:00
Molo MP Joseph Kiuna and his Nakuru counterpart Lee Kinyanjui, speaking separately, asked politicians to stop declaring their positions to allow Kenyans to first debate the draft amongst themselves.
“As politicians, we are busy bickering without allowing the public time to read and understand the contents of this harmonised draft,” said Mr Kiuna.
Mr Kinyanjui urged President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga not to make their opinions known but instead allow Kenyans to discuss and make suggestions on the necessary amendments.
On its part, the National Civil Society Congress said it did not find that the draft curtails presidential powers.
“The presidency still retains substantial powers in public appointments,” said Mr Morris Odhiambo, the leader of the group.
Speaking in Trans Mara East district, Assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando criticised his fellow politicians for attacking the draft even before reading it.
Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella welcomed the devolution of power and resources saying it aims to empower and uplift the living standards of all Kenyans.
But, Kikuyu MP Lewis Nguyai said issues such as the Bill of rights and cross representation are not in the draft.
“Cross representation should be included so that we do not have one person representing 500,000 in parliament, while another one represents 50,000 people,” he said.
In Ndaragwa, Cooperatives Minister Joseph Nyaga said the Committee of Experts ought to recognise the existing 254 districts in the harmonised draft to avoid the document being rejected during the referendum.
At the Coast, Muslims for Human Rights executive director Hussein Khalid announced plans to convene more than 200 meetings in the province to sensitise the public on the draft constitution.
Mr Samuel Welimo of the Hope of Revival Mission in Butere said the provision for kadhi courts in the draft was discriminatory, as all religions ought to be allowed to have their own courts.
Reports by George Munene, Eric Wainaina, Dennis Odunga, Joy Wanja, James Kariuki, George Sayagie, Simon Siele, Peter Ng’etich, Henry Andanje, Edwin Nyarangi, Maurice K’aluoch and Philip Muyanga
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Submitted by NamasandaPosted November 24, 2009 08:33 AM
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Submitted by sirkevinkev
executive powers to the PM is removing power from the mwanainch,it is the president who is elected by the people ,then why doesn't he/she be left to be accountable.This part of the draft should be amended.Even God requires one to be accountable to the responsibilities given ,not another.
Posted November 24, 2009 08:28 AM -
Submitted by richardobieroshenrys
Let this politicians shut down their mouths.When will we have changes in Kenya?Is It the matter of power sharing between PM and President or a matter of having a new constitution which will favor all Kenyans?Nawajue no votes in 2012.
Posted November 23, 2009 12:24 PM -
Submitted by KIMLAND
Is size of party determined by popular vote, or number of seats? If by number of seats, the premiership can break the country – the first coalition to form government just needs to keep its geographical base satisfied – not necessarily the country. A discrete ruling coalition can therefore form that excludes the rest of the country. If no credible wrestling power can be made to wrestle it out, the rest of the country becomes an officially disgruntled second Kenya which could even come to seek secession. A map of 2007 elections may suggest possible fault lines.
Posted November 22, 2009 10:30 PM
RSS
Kenyans know what they want. If there is any doubt the question of whether the President should retain all powers or some powers given to the Prime Minister should be put to vote at the Referendum. The outcome will be clear.