By Lucianne Limo
Retired President Moi says he prefers a presidential system of Government arguing it will unite Kenyans.
Moi dismissed the parliamentary system saying it has potential to entrench tribalism and enhance animosity among communities.
"People think a presidential system is dictatorial. It is not," he said. |
Former President Moi after he met former Somali PM Ali Mohamed Gedi (right) in Nairobi, Tuesday. He termed the parliamentary system of government a recipe for tribalism. [PHOTO: ANNE KAMONI/STANDARD] |
He explained that by having an executive president, "it will be easy to hold him accountable".
"But when there are two centres of power, you cannot know who to blame," said Moi.
Moi was addressing journalists yesterday after seeing off four Somali MPs led by former Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi, who had paid him a courtesy call at his Kabarnet Gardens home in Nairobi.
The former President’s sentiments concur with PNU’s stand on the structure of the Executive.
Parties’ views
PNU is fighting for a purely presidential system where the holder of the office is elected directly by the people while ODM is pushing for a purely parliamentary system.
Moi said a parliamentary system is not foolproof to dictatorship as a president can be a dictator on his end and Prime minister on the other.
"How many people in rural areas are aware of what parliamentary system entails?" he posed.
The former President said his greatest wish is to have a constitution that will unite Kenyans.
He said a constitution is a document intended to serve future generations. He regretted that tribalism had played a central role in our quest to having a new constitution.
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The process of realising a new constitution, Moi said, should not be rushed and Kenyans must be engaged in the process.
Moi expressed disappointment that some of the provisions as contained in the revised draft constitution are foreign.
"Those drafting the laws live in fantasy. They looked at the constitution of America and think they can impose it on Kenyans," he said.
According to surveys, most Kenyans are afraid the push for a new law could be derailed by competing political interests between PNU and ODM.
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