Jubilee MP Proposes One 7-Year Term Presidency, Executive Prime Minister Post in New Bill

The office of the Prime Minister could return if a new Bill drafted by Tiaty Member of Parliament Kassait Kamket sails through.

In his Bill dubbed The Constitution of Kenya (Amendments) Bill of 2017, the Jubilee MP proposes creation of the position of an executive Prime Minister.

The Premier will be the head of government, which will effectively reduce the Office of the President to ceremonial duties only.

The PM, Kassait proposes, must be an elected member of the National Assembly and will also be the Leader of Government Business. He will have two deputies to help him carry out day-to-day running of government.

Kassait further suggests the scrapping of the office of the Deputy President, arguing that the President's ceremonial functions don't require a deputy.

The parliamentarian also proposes that one must be above 50 years to be elected as President to serve for a single term of seven years.

The President will be elected by a joint sitting of Parliament.

The PM will pick a cabinet from among members of the National Assembly, he further proposes.

The Bill also seeks amendments on the date of the general election from the second Tuesday of August to the second Tuesday of December of the fifth year.

The MP also proposes that every county have two elected senators, a male and a female, who will be elected by the County Assembly.

“The enactment of the Bill will foster inclusivity in the leadership of the country and proper accountability of the government to parliament,” the MP states in the Bill’s memorandum of objects and reasons.