Jail threat to governors for ‘Your Excellency’ gaffe

By MOSES NJAGIH

NAIROBI, KENYA: You could soon find yourself paying a fine of Sh1 million or in prison for addressing a governor as “Your Excellency”.

Similar stiff penalties could also be meted out on anyone who addresses a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) as “Honourable” if a Bill introduced in the National Assembly is passed into law.

The House Wednesday started the process of enacting the Order of Precedence Bill, which is meant to “foster orderliness, discipline and decorum in the process of governance.”

The private member’s Bill by Eldas MP Adan Keynan spells out titles to be given to State officers in their public address, meting out harsh penalties on anyone who contravenes the law.

Use of the title “Excellency” will be reserved only for the President, his deputy and their spouses.

County bosses who have been using the title, raising a major storm in political circles, will have to contend with “The Governor” if the Bill passes into law.

The honour of flying the national flag and use of sirens in motorcades is reserved only for the President, Deputy President, Speakers of Parliament and the Chief Justice.

“If any State or public officer acts in contravention of the provisions of this Act, either through his disobedience, disregard, abuse, neglect or negligence, the State or public officer commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to the fine not less than one million shillings and not more than two million, or to imprisonment for a term not less than 12 months or both such a fine and imprisonment,” states the Bill.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The proposed law also gives the order of precedence, placing governors below Members of Parliament, in a move likely to cause fresh conflict between members of the two houses and county bosses.

In the pecking order, the Speakers of Senate and National Assembly are placed immediately below the President and the Deputy President, and above the Chief Justice.

The law is meant to “maintain public order and decorum at national functions and social engagements, promote a national culture of respect, orderliness and discipline for public officials.”

It is also meant to guide the Salaries and Remuneration Commission in determining remunerations, salaries and allowances for State officers.