Abolish presidential system, says Kiraitu Murungi

Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has proposed that the presidential elections be abolished to end tribalism and political tension witnessed in the country every election year.

While making his submissions to the Building Bridges Initiative task force in Meru, Mr Murungi, who is the Council of Governors' Referendum Committee head, proposed radical changes to the system of governance to promote inclusivity.

“There is a need to change our governance structure that guarantees every Kenyan the right to share the national cake, both in terms of resources and leadership,” he said.

The governor opposed both the presidential and parliamentary systems. Mr Murungi, who once served as the Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, did not propose an alternative but alluded to a hybrid system.

TRIBALISM

“In my view, the country will always be pulled back by tribalism and political tension as long as we have a presidential or parliamentary system,” he said.

This could mean that lawmakers who win the majority seats in Parliament should be vested with the powers to pick the President, who will then appoint a prime minister of his choice.

Mr Murungi said this was the best time to make the changes given that President Uhuru Kenyatta will be exiting office and will not be interested in a Constitution that favours him.

In his submissions to the task force last week, Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli called for a parliamentary system of governance as was proposed in the Bomas Draft.

BUILDING BRIDGES

Mr Atwoli has been at the forefront in pushing for a review of Kenya’s governance system and structures to make them accommodate all communities

In June, ODM leader Raila Odinga said he was waiting for advice on his referendum call from the Building Bridges team that was constituted after the March 9 handshake.

Governor Murungi also supports the proposal to have lawmakers appointed Cabinet Secretaries and MCAs picked to serve in the county executive teams.

This, he argued, will promote inclusivity of more tribes at the helm of power and end dissatisfaction among leaders.

“Given that the current power pyramid at the top is too narrow, the Constitution ought to be changed so that the top accommodates several ethnic groups,” he said.

Expanding the executive would mean establishing a prime minister’s position and probably two posts of Deputy PM to bring a regional and tribal balance.