Starting next month-March 2009, parliament will hopefully, be implementing a set of new standing orders. As a result, the prime-minister will have some 45 minutes to articulate govt policy on a wide range of issues. Wednesday’s afternoon session has been set for this.
But one wonders which policy issues the PM will be articulating when he is neither head of government nor leader of government business in the house (parliament) .Secondly, in the critical realm of public service, Amb. Muthaura has seemingly taken hold.What exactly does the PM do ?
My view is that Raila must get his thinking proper and be open with Kenyans.Kenyans are fed up with the confusing state of affairs where the PM’s role is not properly and adequately defined.
Take for example—when the PM constituted a committe that initially investigated the case of sale of grand regency and the committee handed in a report, the president returned from an official overseas trip and dis-regarded this committe’s findings. Remember that the Attorney General Amos Wako the chief govt advisor and the Chief anti-corruption officer of govt-The Aron Ringera were part of the committe which found Kimunya culpable—–this shows who heads govt and state and we therefore cannot see the use of the PM being given time to articulate govt policy when he is not head of govt under the current constitutional dispensation.The true position is that PM will only be given the authority to speak in parliament as SENIOR MINISTER without portfolio—can PM for example direct VP not to table any given bill in parliament without President’s approval ?
Raila and Kibaki are, as per the law creating this govt, the principals but somehow there is no clear provision for executive authority being shared except for nominating persons on ODM side to be appointed cabinet ministers, somehow some actions from the PNU wing courtesy of the office of Muthaura create the thinking that the VP’s office is more senior than the PM’s office.Kenyans see some puerile juxtapositions here.
PROPOSALS
1. Parliament should work towards ammending the constitution to make the PM, leader of govt business in parliament—–this should not be part of the major constitution making process expected to start any time this year.This should be done with immediate effect through a private members bill / motion. Youthful MP,s like Namwamba had better invest in this rather than engaging shameful and demeaning things like he did last week in parliament—-Youthful MP’s must be seen to be critical thinkers not hecklers.
2.That the head of public service and minister for public service be placed under the PM,s office.This will make the PM,s office stronger and work to serve Kenyans–the current arrangement is useless—the President had better play state functions and leave govt to the PM as this WILL be in the new constitution.Kenyans need to get used to this efficient arrangement today not tommorrow.
3.That the PM must have perfomance targets—what govt must deliver other wise Kenyans will be treated to yet another empty rhetoric.—take for example, where the PM promises that govt will provide subsidy to maize flour and in ashort while, this is just seen as hot air, nothing is practically seen to be happening on a national scale .Govt must be truthful and fulfill promises or its voted out.
4.That the PM,s office be staffed with highly qualified and experienced staff-40 of them and be the equivalent of permanent secretaries—each charged with supervisng the 40-bloated ministries—-this the only way PM will function efficiently—the expectations are too high for him—this will be the case for future PM,s who will head govt.
5.That in whole, the constitution making process be expedited and hopefully based along the Bomas draft—-this draft makes what our views of the Kenya we want are.
Unless thse reforms take place, the PM,s office is a waste today and Kenyans do not feel its practicability and usefulness.
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Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:56:23 -0800 [07:56:23 AM CST]
From: henry ouma
Subject: KENYA’S PRIME MINISTER AND THE 45 MINUTES