Central Kenya MPs have expressed fears over a Prime Minister with executive powers, as a split emerged over their previous clamour for more constituencies.

The MPs said the draft constitution proposing that the PM enjoys executive powers was an insult to the electorate.

The change of tune from the central Kenya and Eastern Province MPs came as a surprise as they have been pushing for creation of more constituencies for them to pursue the PM’s position.

The region has produced two Heads of Sate, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the incumbent, Mwai Kibaki.

Sources at the meeting told The Standard the MPs had been pushing for extra constituencies to increase their chances of bagging the premiership, after it emerged a presidential candidate from central Kenya may be hard to sell across the country in the 2012 General Election.

Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki has been one of the key proponents from the central Kenya group that has been pushing for more constituencies.

"We have vast and populous constituencies, which are represented by one MP like some small and sparsely populated ones. It is unfair," said Mbiuki.

He added it was immoral for some constituencies with low populations to receive the same amount of national resources like those with higher populations.

Key factor

Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua, Agriculture Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki and Mathira MP Ephraim Maina at Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, on Thursday. Photo: Evans Habil/Standard

"Population density should be a key factor in creating new electoral areas, as this would ensure equal and fair representation in parliament," said Mbiuki.

The MPs termed the draft as generally progressive in expanding democratic space, but said it would reduce a popularly elected President into a figurehead.

Twenty MPs, who included Cabinet ministers Njeru Githae, Beth Mugo and Assistant Ministers Lewis Nguyai, Mbiuki and Mwangi Kiunjuri, said the popular mandate must be respected.

"Nowhere in the world is a president elected by the people and fails to enjoy the powers of his office. The proposal is laughable," said Mathira MP Ephraim Maina.

MPs Jeremiah Kioni, Nemesyus Warugongo, Gitau Njuguna, Elias Mbau, Peter Baiya, Peter Mwathi, David Mwaura, John Mututho, Joseph Kiuna, Nelson Gaichuhie, Silas Muriuki, Ferdinand Waititu and Simon Mbugua were present.

Central Kenya political heavyweights Uhuru Kenyatta, Kiraitu Murungi, John Michuki, Martha Karua and George Thuo were absent.

Lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo led the MPs through a review of the draft.

"The executive authority will vest in the PM, as the head of government, despite not being elected by the people," said Maina.

He said the draft failed to recognise that the President was elected by universal suffrage.

Maina said the draft weakens the separation of powers and reduces the ability of the two offices of the President and PM to check each other.

"Where the President is checked by Parliament, the PM can easily become autocratic, and especially if the President enjoys the support of fewer MPs," said Mbiuki.

The MPs said the proposal to have the PM and President share power will bring conflicts in managing public affairs.

"The President and PM will always come from different political parties, thus increasing instability and threat of conflict," said Baiya.

Maina, who convened the meeting as the chairman of the Central Kenya Parliamentary Group at a Nairobi hotel, said representation in Parliament should be based on equality of the vote.

At the same time, Embakasi MP, Ferdinand Waititu reportedly caused a storm during the meeting when he maintained the constituencies must be split before a new constitution is enacted.

Waititu said there would be no constitution if boundaries were not reviewed.

At least five MPs stormed out of the press conference after Waititu complained that the boundary review issue had not been catered for.

Mbiuki said the clamour for the constitution making should not overshadow extra constituencies.

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