— On Mon, 4/28/08, People Foundation wrote:

Demystifying the Pecking Order

The debate about who is second in command is a testimony of monstrous confusion and ignorance within the ranks and file of the 10th Parliament. This is a debate that is absolutely unnecessary yet it is nerve whacking. If the National Accord which has been entrenched in the Constitution created a coalition government in with two centers of power, then, it is clear even to a caveman that the Prime Minister has one wing of the executive branch of government, and two deputy prime ministers who share equally the second in command position of that wing of the executive government. Similarly, the President has the other wing of the executive power, thus, the Vice President is the bona fide second in command in as far as the presidency is concerned. This is not rocket science.

We get concerned when the likes of Prof. Anyang Nyong fail to provide a balanced perspective about the power sharing between the Prime Minister and the President. For Prof Anyang Nyong to provide a constradictory perspective by stating that ODM party leader Raila Odinga who is the PM is an equal to President Kibaki and there is no way he will ever come below a Vice-President (http://www.eastandard.net/news) indicates that he is in lalaland of confusion. All Kenyans with exception of Prof. Anyang Nyong do know that Kalonzo Musyoka who is the Vice President of Kenya does not belong to the executive government wing of headed by Raila Odinga who is the Prime Minister. So, the issue of second in command does not arise at all. The Vice President is not accountable to the Prime Minister but to the President, and therefore his is rightfully second in command. The President can delegate executive powers to the vice president. The Prime Minister can delegate executive power related to the office of the prime minister to the Deputy Prime Ministers who are second in command on that wing of executive government. What is all this bickering by ODM and PNU hardliners about?

However, it is important to note that Hon Kalonzo Musyoka as a Minister of Home Affairs is under the direct authority of the Prime Minister, but on national matters that touch on the powers and authority vested on him by the President; he is answerable to the president and therefore, remains the second in command. Let it be known by all that in the absence of the President, the Vice President would act in that capacity. Similarly, this constitutional pecking order does not encroach on the Prime Minister at all.

We are asking our elected members to acquaint themselves with the fine details of the current structure of the coalition government and act in the best interest of peace and reconciliation and avoid creating acrimonious issues where there no issues. It is so sad to see the supposed to be learned friends display this level of ignorance.

comments at : http://secondincommanddebate.blogspot.com/

—
People Foundation, Inc,
Social Transformation Advocacy Group
775 River Oaks Parkway
San Jose, CA 95136

– – –
Date: Monday, April 28, 2008, 3:46 PM
From: People Foundation
Subject: Demystifying the Pecking Order

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The cave men seem to know the difference more.

I normally say that we have to be honest to achieve peace, tranquility and reconciliation. There is nothing monstrous nor confusing about the pecking order. And for you to claim ignorance, then, you must be the outer space.

The Accord that gave Kibaki and Raila equal powers was signed in broad day light, in the presence of many cameras, and in public. The Accord was signed at the same time, seated side by side, by two men; Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki.

Kalonzo Musyoka did not sign anything.

Then, the accord was witnessed by Kofi Annan and Jakaya Kikwete, again, seated side by side. If one want to be honest, then he must have seen this. But if one is from outer space, or is bent on creating mischief, he might choose to miss this rather obvious pecking order.

There is simply no way Kalonzo will ever be senior to Raila in any pecking order. If I were Kalonzo, I would really be concerned with the perception Kenyans are developing that Kalonzo is indeed a traitor.

Kalonzo must hence be fair to himself. Kenyans overwhelmingly rejected his bid to become our president. And if he does not accept this fact, maybe he needs to talk with Kivuitu to tell him exactly how many votes he got, leave alone what he was added by his friends.

Secondly, if he professes the Christian faith, he must practice reality. Reality is such that he is last in the pecking order, and the sooner he accepts this, the better it will be for his next bid, if he will have the courage to face Kenyans after betraying their aspirartions.

Oto

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Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:36:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Demystifying the Pecking Order