Executive to dominate House team’s retreat

The divergent proposals on the draft constitution by ODM and PNU are set to dominate a six-day retreat of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitution.

The bone of contention between the coalition partners is the kind of executive structure to be adopted under the new constitution.

Interestingly, the two parties have agreed to reject the hybrid system of government as presented by the Committee of Experts.

They also say that there may be need to amend the law to allow Kenyans to go for a ‘Yes-Yes’ referendum vote, saying that this is the best way to avoid a divisive referendum as was the case in 2005.

However, this would also split the country as the two parties are rooting for two different systems of government.

While ODM has indicated that it supports a parliamentary system, PNU says that it prefers a presidential system with checks through Parliament.

On Wednesday, big-wigs in the two parties made public the proposals they would be tabling at the PSC retreat. Both statements carried a tag that the politicians were committed to achieving consensus on the draft before the expiry of the PSC time-frame on January 29.

PNU has maintained that it will push for an executive system with a single centre of power and the holder being elected directly by the people.

The party said it will only accept the introduction of the position of Prime Minister if the country adopts the Tanzania model of government.

In Tanzania, the President is the Head of State and Government and appoints a Prime Minister, who is Leader of Government in Parliament.

Their partners in ODM indicate that they are in favour of a parliamentary system where government is accountable to the people through Parliament.
Governance

ODM believes the concentration of power at one centre is responsible for tribalism, dictatorship and bad governance.

On devolution, ODM says that power and resources must be devolved and proposes that it should be in tiers — national, regional and county.

PNU says that it supports a devolved system that guarantees Kenyans equitable resources for development. However, it said that the institutions created under the draft are too many and would be too costly to run.

The 27-member House team begins its deliberations on the draft on Sunday.