Former Makueni Governor Professor Kivutha Kibwana on Wednesday dismissed the push for constitutional reform emanating from corners of the state as suicidal.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Kibwana, who made his thoughts known on X, lamented the intention of the calls for review, citing that it did not serve the interests of the ordinary Kenyans.
He further argued that partners involved were looking to expand the wage bill by creating the prime minister position, two deputy prime ministers and the leader of the opposition as per the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) agreement.
In part, read the tweet. “KKA/ODM (Kenya Kwanza Alliance/Orange Democratic Movement) simply wants creation of PM/2DPMs/leader of official opposition per NADCO Report for comfy accommodation of the broad-based dynasty partners.”
Kenya Kwanza administration took ODM into the executive arm of government after President William Ruto dismissed his sitting Cabinet in the wake of the Gen-Z protests in July 2024 and appointed leaders from the opposition to occupy four slots.
This week, while speaking to a local media house, State Legal advisor Dorcas Oduor expressed that the time was right for constitutional review noting that the last 15 years have been sufficient to reveal what needs to be changed in the Kenyan Constitution.
Hinting at the process that could lead to constitutional reformation under her watch, AG Oduor stated, “The constitution is ripe for review but you can’t do it by yourself. You have to take it back to the people and parliamentarians and representatives of the people.”
Drawing parallels between Kenya and other democratic African nations, State Counsel Oduor expounded, “Not only that it is the right time but our constitution is 15 years old. You realise in South Africa, they had to review their constitution after 10 years and came up with very many new things.”
Citing the recommendations of the NADCO report, Kivutha attacked the proposal to form new seats at the helm of government as a political decoy.
On the Establishment and Entrenchment of State Offices, the National Dialogue Committee recommended establishing and entrenching the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Constitution. The committee, in their rationale, attributed the need for new offices as recognition of the value and legitimacy of opposition parties as part of the country’s political system.
In addition, it also recommended the establishment and entrenchment of an Office of the Prime Minister in the Constitution as a means of coordination of functions of the Executive arm of Government.
Kibwana was Kibaki’s Presidential Advisor on Constitutional, Parliamentary, and Youth Affairs at the Office of the President during the period that yielded the 2010 Constitution and participated extensively in its formulation, drafting, and subsequent implementation.
The former governor further termed the dalliance between ODM and Kenya Kwanza as an alliance between dynastic political partners.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga voiced his support for the reform campaign in July saying that the anticipated national conversation over issues raised by Gen Z could lead to a constitutional review….CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLE>>>
