MP proposed changes to the presidential election
MP proposed changes to the presidential election
MP proposed changes to the presidential election
Mwengi Mutuse, a member of parliament for Kibwezi West, wrote to the National Dialogue Committee (NADOC) on Tuesday to propose changes to the governance structure, particularly with relation to the Kenyan President election. In his recommendations to NADOC, Mutuse stated his opinion that the Office of the Leader of the Opposition should not be established under a presidential system of government because he thought such an office already exists, obviating the need for constitutional revisions.
I suggest allowing presidential candidates to also run for membership in the National Assembly to allay worries about the inclusion of the Opposition,” Mutuse suggested.According to his claim, the phrase Official Opposition was changed to Minority Party in the 2010 Kenyan Constitution, and the Leader of Government Business was changed to the Leader of the Majority Party.
Presidential candidates would once more compete for the top seat as Members of Parliament if NADOC agrees and Parliament ratifies Mutuse’s suggestions, restoring a practice that was abandoned after the 2007 general election.The restoration to this practice is not foreclosed by the current constitution, Mutuse wrote in a letter to the discussion committee.
“Article 99 on Qualifications and disqualifications for election as MP and Article 137 on Qualifications and disqualifications for election as President do not impose such limitations,” the first-term MP said.The Elections Act does not prevent the nation from taking this course, the Maendeleo Chap Chap elected MP added.According to Mutuse, the current restrictions prohibiting a President from running as an MP resulted from a reading of the Constitution that was far too conservative.In his proposal to NADOC, Mutuse emphasized the need of embracing his ideas in order to foster inclusivity and guarantee that popular presidential candidates who do not win the popular vote are not left out in the cold.
The political party or alliance with the most parliamentary representation currently chooses the Leader of the Majority. But given the current legal framework, it is possible for a candidate to triumph in the presidential race even if their party does not win a majority in Parliament. Notably, Mutuse’s letter made no mention of the possibility that, in such circumstances, the President’s opponent would take over as Leader of the Majority in Parliament.
