PM protests Muthaura directive to civil servants

By Willis Oketch and Patrick Beja

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has protested a move by the Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura to directly involve senior civil servants in the debate on constitution review.

In a letter to the Grand Coalition Management Committee, Raila says civil servants should not be compelled to present their views on the Harmonised Draft Constitution.

"I advise you take immediate action to prevent public servants from being compelled to present their views on the Harmonised Draft Constitution," Raila’s letter says in part.

The offices of the Prime Minister and that of the President are also at variance over a meeting of the committee tasked to manage the affairs of the Grand Coalition called by Mr Muthaura today to reportedly get its approval on a bid to amend the Act to extend the public debate period.

In the letter seen by The Standard on Saturday, Raila emphasised the committee should particularly direct Muthaura not to force civil servants to present views.

"In my view, Mr Muthaura’s letter amounts to invitation to those senior public servants to participate in divisive political engagement," Raila warned.

The PM was referring to Muthaura’s letter on December 2 to all permanent secretaries directing them to give views on the draft constitution.

According to the letter, Muthaura met the PSs on December 1 at his Harambee House office where it was resolved they examine the draft constitution and give proposals in line with Vision 2030.

It was resolved the PSs, who are also accounting officers, would submit their recommendations to a committee comprising 12 State organs.

These include Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, Auditor General and Cabinet Office.

Other agencies are Ministry of Local Government, Vision 2030 Secretariat, National Security Intelligence Service, Ministry of State for Public Service, Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, Registrar of High Court and State Law Office.