PNU’s new secret plan for 2012

By Gakuu Mathenge

The Party of National Unity is on the rebound and is currently making big plans to beat ODM to the political finish line come the 2012 general election.

President Kibaki’s party has come up with proposals to embrace some of the radical reforms that saw it lose heavily in the referendum four years ago.

The plan is to work aggressively, permeating all groups in the society from the grassroots to youth and leaders to make it the party of choice come the next general election.

In a bid to shed off its anti-reform tag, PNU has now drafted proposals on radical changes to the Constitution.

In what would be seen as a strategy to endear itself to the public and position itself for the next general election, the party comes out strongly to support certain positions that it opposed four years ago.

It proposes that the office of an executive Prime Minister be entrenched in the Constitution.

PNU party has submitted the proposal to the Committee of Experts on constitutional review, which is contrary to its position on the same in the 2005 Constitutional referendum.

The move, described as an "accelerated reform package" by PNU’s secretary-general Kiraitu Murungi, also proposes a lean 20-member Cabinet that need not be MPs.

"This is an accelerated reforms package. We do not have to wait for comprehensive review, when we have an option to effect non-contentious reforms," said Kiraitu.

To show just how serious PNU is, President Kibaki announced yesterday that the push for a new Constitution was well on course.

President’s pledge

Speaking at the Holy Family Minor Basilica, the President assured Kenyans of the Government’s commitment to deliver a new Constitution "within the shortest time possible."

PNU is the first political party to submit its memorandum to the Committee of Experts on Constitutional review led by Mr Nzamba Kitonga, and curiously supports legislations it forcefully opposed four years ago.

Top among PNU proposals include a hybrid system of government, which has a President and a Vice-President elected by universal suffrage, and a Prime Minister as head of government and appointed from party with majority MPs in Parliament.

To become President, a candidate must be elected by 51 per cent of voters, in addition to securing 25 per cent of all cast votes in 11 provinces.

Presently, there are eight provinces but PNU further proposes that the number be raised from eight to 20, with Rift Valley being split into four provinces; Eastern, Coast and Nyanza into three each, Central, North Eastern and Western into two each.

Nairobi is to remain as one metropolitan province.

The provinces are to be focal centres of devolution of power, complete with elected provincial councils.

But Kanu vice-chairman Gideon Moi has opposed the idea of dividing the Rift Valley saying, "Wale wanataka kugawanya wagawanye kwao" (let them divide their own regions and leave Rift Valley alone).

However, PNU is hearing none of that and plan to go ahead with the move.

"The Provincial Council will comprise three elected members from each district. All constituencies are set to become districts," says PNU legal affairs secretary and nominated MP George Nyamweya.

PNU has also re-submitted the perennially divisive proposal that the President shall also appoint a Prime Minister from the party with majority MPs in parliament, and who shall be head of Government.

Asked if this effort amounted to admission that the comprehensive review may not be feasible, or that the Government had given up on it, Kiraitu said: "There is no contradiction. Both approaches will achieve the same reform ends.

"The point is to do what we can now, even as we strive for comprehensive review."

PNU further proposes a Cabinet of not more than 20 ministers, and who shall not necessarily be MPs.

Heavy task

"Service-minded MPs will tell you being a Cabinet minister and an MP (at the same time) is a daunting task. If accepted, MPs will concentrate on legislation and representing their constituencies, and supervising the Executive" Nyamweya said.

Asked how it plans to have Bills sail through Parliament, Nyamweya said there had been consultations among PNU alliance partners and ODM and that they do not anticipate hitches.

"There have been informal consultations going on. Indeed, I expect some of these fundamental Bills — like the splitting of provinces — will have to be co-sponsored by both PNU and ODM," Nyamweya says.

However, Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat says Kanu had not been consulted and did not made a contribution to the document submitted to the Committee of Experts.

"Kanu did not take part in the crafting of that document. Kanu has organs that are mandated to state our position on major issues like the Constitution and these organs — including the National Executive Committee — have not met since November last year," Salat said.

He added: "Although we are part of the PNU Coalition, Kanu detests being bullied and pushed into supporting positions we have not deliberated on."

Senior Kanu members have been pushing for a NEC meeting for some time, but Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the only one mandated by the party rules to convene one, has not complied.

Confuse Kenyans

But Kanu organising secretary Justin Muturi say PNU proposals would confuse Kenyans further and polarise the review efforts than before.

"PNU has to make up its mind what system of government it is proposing to Kenyans. A President elected by 51 per cent of total vote and 25 per cent of votes cast in 11 provinces has a very strong mandate, and is a powerful President.

"It makes no sense to hand over his power to a Prime Minister to head government, while there is a VP with whom he is elected as running mate. It is a recipe for chaos," Muturi said.

He added: "Kenya has to choose between either a parliamentary or a presidential system of government. PNU must get out of its penchant for quick fix, instant-coffee solutions that will not last."

ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo told The Standard the party will soon present its proposals, but warned PNU against introducing tricks.

"For one, PNU has no business telling Nyanza people how many provinces they should have. The people know their needs better. I would also caution against any attempts to split constituencies. They must be accompanied by a schedule," he said.

 

 

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