Jubilee MP wants president to serve one 7-year term

Tiaty Member of Parliament Kassait Kamket has drafted a Bill seeking to amend the Constitution to create sweeping changes in the Executive.

The Jubilee MP wants the re-introduction of the Office of Prime Minister, one 7-year presidential term and scrapping of the Deputy President office.

Mr. Kamket wants the Prime Minister to have full executive powers and also be a Member of the National Assembly with the additional role of leader of government business.

“As a consequence of the proposed amendment, the President shall retain ceremonial powers as Head of State without any need for the position of the Deputy President,” reads part of the Bill.

In addition, the former Baringo County Assembly Speaker proposes that the president’s tenure be reduced to a single seven-year term.

The legislator also wants the Constitution amended to have Cabinet Secretaries picked from among MPs and the position of Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly be reintroduced.

Further, the Bill seeks to have the election date of the President, MPs, MCAs and Governors changed to the second Tuesday of December every fifth year.

“Enactment of the Bill will foster inclusivity in the leadership of the country and proper accountability of the government to Parliament,” reads the Bill.

For the purposes of constituting the Senate, the lawmaker wants one man and one woman be elected by each County Assembly directly.

Mr. Kamket is set appear before the Budget and Appropriations Committee to look into the implication of the proposal on Wednesday, February 27.