President Kenyatta left no one in doubt of his intentions yesterday when he made a strong case for a parliamentary system of government, citing inspiration from the country’s founding fathers.
Though Kenya has made considerable strides in its quest to live the dreams of the illustrious pioneers “there remain two things to be done to re-imagine Kenya,” he said.
The two, he said in his Madaraka Day speech, are “the rigidity of the Constitution” and the “transformation of our civic culture.”
Building his case for the need to amend the 10-year-old Constitution, Uhuru cited the philosophies of his father Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya and Oginga Odinga saying the leaders had long warned Kenyans against sticking with what did not work.
Picking a cue from ODM leader Raila Odinga who last week said a national plebiscite was looming, Uhuru noted that “a constitution is not an end in itself; it is a means to a greater end.”
“It is a living document. And if certain elements of the Constitution outlive their historical purpose, they become a cancer. They must be removed or they will infect the good elements of the mother law,” Uhuru said at the state celebration.
Deputy President William Ruto and Raila were present at the event where the head of state outlined how life would change for Kenyans going forward.
It was the first time DP Ruto appeared in public since the recent purge of his allies at the Senate, with more expected in the National Assembly.
The President hinted at schools reopening within specified guidelines and also called on Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to hold talks with religious leaders towards opening places of worship.
Back to politics, President Kenyatta said it was time to amend the Constitution to deal with perennial political conflicts which he termed as a cancer that must be removed.
He cited the repeal of the infamous Section 2(a) which paved the way for the multi-party system and the embedment of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act of 2008 to accommodate the grand coalition government.
“Ten years later, I am already discerning a constitutional moment. Not a moment to replace the 2010 Constitution but one to improve on it…a moment that will right what we got wrong in 2010.
“But fundamentally, the constitutional moment I discern is one that will bring an end to senseless cycles of violence we have experienced in every election since 1992,” he said.
He added, “And the one that will deepen our democratic credentials and lead to a much more inclusive society, which , I believe , was the intention of the framers of the 2010 Constitution.”
In what appeared to be targeting leaders from his Mt Kenya backyard, Uhuru said “we must not be afraid of changing this system if it does not serve our present purpose”.
Some politicians have opposed amendments that would change the system of government from the current presidential to a parliamentary one.
The Building Bridges Initiative task force that was constituted by Uhuru and Raila after their March 2018 handshake is currently finalising its report that will be submitted to the two leaders by end of the month.
The initial report that was unveiled in November last year before being taken to Kenyans to validate had recommended the return of the position of Prime Minister.
The BBI report also proposed that Kenyans continue to elect their President who remains the head of state and government.
The report said the Deputy President should remain the principal assistant to the President and will be the running mate.
The President will appoint an MP from the largest party or coalition in Parliament as the Prime Minister who will take up the position after being approved by Parliament.
The Prime Minister shall supervise and execute the day-to-day functions and affairs of the government.
