Give new PM more powers, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka wants the proposed Prime Minister position in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) taskforce report to have more powers.
The former vice-president, who spoke yesterday after the party’s executive meeting, argued the position should be anchored in the Constitution to avoid a PM serving at the whims of the President.
“ I think this team was so mean on the prime minister. The recommendations should not be left as they are. The person who takes the post should have more powers to avoid a scenario where the President can dismiss them for going against his wish,” he said.
According to the report, Kenyans will continue to elect their president directly and the holder shall remain the Head of State. The President will also be the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The report says that the deputy president will remain the principal assistant to the president and will also be the president’s running mate.
The president will appoint a Member of Parliament (MP) from the largest political party to be prime minister. The PM will take the position after approval by the National Assembly.
The 156-page report says the PM will supervise and execute the daily activities of government.
According to the proposals, the Executive will comprise the President, Deputy President, Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The President shall garner at least 50 per cent-plus one of the national vote and at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in at least 24 of the country’s 47 counties.
Yesterday, the Wiper leader said the BBI report should have included recommendations that will be used to punish legislators who go against their political parties to campaign for a rival outfit.
He, however, supported the proposal by the taskforce to compel candidates vying for governor to pick members of the opposite gender to be their deputies.
The Wiper party recommended formation of a technical team that will give the report legal back-up after the document has been read by the public.
Meanwhile, the party announced that it will conduct elections next year. Party chairman Chirau Ali Mwakwere said the elections will mainly take place in the Wiper strongholds will also focus on strengthening the new Young Wiper Democrats outfit.
