Why aspirants have to draw vital lessons from Malawi

By ISAAC ONGIRI

The political transition in Malawi occasioned by the death of President Mbingu wa Mutharika, which saw his deputy Joyce Banda take over power has drawn significant lessons for presidential hopefuls in Kenya.

The clause that ushered Banda to power despite her banishment from President Mbingufs Democratic Progressive Party is identical to one in the Kenyan Constitution that requires that the person occupying the Deputy Presidentfs office shall assume power for the remaining part of the term preceding the next elections.

Malawifs President Joyce Banda [Photo: File/Standard]

Banda, who is expected to run Malawi up to 2014, has already settled to work but even before the burial of Mutharika, she has stamped her authority by firing the countryfs police chief as she settles down to organise a post-Mutharika Cabinet.

Lessons from Malawi may force many in the political arena to re-evaluate their perceptions of the Office of the Deputy President or the running mate in the General Election.

Unlike the past when the office was mainly a reserve of dormant politicians but exceptionally loyal, the new Constitution pours in shades of powers and give protection to the holder of the office, making him or her to owe allegiance only to the electorate just like the President.

Key presidential runners are on the chase board scheming to have the best running mates with qualities that when combined with theirs can deliver victory.

Deputy president

"Each candidate in a presidential election shall nominate a person who is qualified for nomination for election as President, as a candidate for Deputy President," reads Article 148 of the Kenyan Constitution.

Unlike in the past, the new Constitution removes any transitional doubts and existence of vacuum in the Office of the President with Article 147 (3) allowing the Deputy President to take charge in the absence of the President.

And now just like it happened in Malawi last week, future situations in Kenya where a President dies in office would see his deputy take over to complete the remaining term.

Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama who is also Government Chief Whip praises the Kenyan Constitution for its clarity on the matter, arguing the country would be saved from unnecessary election expenditure in case of a mid-term death or exit from office of an elected President.

"Our new Constitution comes out very clearly on how to handle a transition," Muthama said.

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Holding office

The Kangundo MP says the position of Deputy President is one that Kenyans must take seriously just as that of the President.

"A person who assumes the Office of President under Clause (2) (a), or following an election required by Clause (2) (b), shall, unless otherwise removed from office under this Constitution, hold office until a newly elected President is sworn-in, following the next regularly scheduled election," says the Constitution.

Gwassi MP John Mbadi says Kenyans should not concentrate so much on who the presidential candidate is, but take a keen look at the person nominated by a political party as a running mate.

"We have a lot to learn from the Malawian situation that we need a running mate who is equally as serious as the presidential candidate in terms of credentials, morality, popularity and everything that goes with it because if anything happens to the President after he is sworn into office, then the number two can take over," Mbadi said.

Mbadi says parties must emphasize on the office of the Deputy President and enlighten Kenyans on the importance of its existence.

But if an elected President dies before being sworn-in, his deputy or the person elected as his deputy then takes over office as acting President, but in this case, a by-election is to be held within two months.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, seen as the main contenders in the coming presidential election, at least by the projections of the latest opinion polls, have heard their election think tanks haggle over running mates.

However, the PMfs team is now facing a new challenge following threats by his deputy Musalia Mudavadi that he could be on his way out of ODM.

If he quits, the PM would face the hustle of creating a new political team capable of competing in the coming elections.

Running mate

Sources in Uhuru and Eldoret North MP William Rutofs camps have hinted at an elaborate political scheming that could see the latter become Uhurufs running mate.

"Yes, it is true we have discussed those issues and we want to have a situation where if Uhurufs party gets the presidency, then we get the deputy presidency," said Cherengany MP Joshua Kutuny.

His Belgut counterpart Charles Keter said the Malawian experience had given political strategists an opportunity to redesign their drafts.

"Following what happened in Malawi, we have learnt that it is very crucial to have a strong candidate and an equally stronger running mate who can deliver the votes and even on the presidency," Keter stated.

He, however, explained that talks between Uhuru and Ruto on who between them should become the otherfs running mate have not taken off because the Deputy Prime Minister has no political party on which to negotiate.