BBI Report proposes creation of Prime Minister post in Kenyan Government

The report focused on nine main objectives that had been set by handshake partners President Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

One of the objectives was to make recommendations on how to resolve Kenya's issue of Divisive Elections, to which the taskforce proposed the creation of a number of posts in government that will discourage the "winner-takes-all" outcome of General Elections.

President Uhuru Kenyatta reading BBI report President Uhuru Kenyatta reading BBI report Pulse Live Kenya

One of the posts that have been proposed is that of the Prime Minister who, according to the report, shall be appointed by the Executive President.

"Within a set number of days following the summoning of Parliament after an election, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister, an elected Member of the National Assembly from a political party having a majority of Members in the National Assembly or, if no political party has a majority, one who appears to have the support of a majority of MPs," the report reads in part.

Prime Minister must have majority votes from MPs

After appointment by the President, the PM will only take up the position if a majority of the National Assembly cast their votes in his or her favour.

In addition to being a high-ranking member of the National Assembly, the PM will also be in charge of all Cabinet Secretaries.

The PM will be a member of both the Legislative wing of government and the Executive arm. Within the Executive, the President will be obligated to consult with the PM before appointing cabinet secretaries.

"The Taskforce is recommending that the Cabinet Secretary be renamed Cabinet Minister. The President will appoint Cabinet Ministers after consultation with the Prime Minister.

"The Cabinet shall be drawn from both parliamentarians and technocrats, with the latter being made ex-officio Members of Parliament upon successful Parliamentary approval," the report recommends.

It further reads: "...the Ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister, shall be collectively responsible in the National Assembly for the execution of the affairs of the Government."

As regards dismissal of the PM, the President will be allowed to fire the PM at will. The PM could also lose his or her seat if the majority side in the National Assembly passes a vote of no confidence.

President Kenyatta with the BBI taskforce. Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Report proposes creation of Prime Minister post in Kenyan Government President Kenyatta with the BBI initiative's taskforce Pulse Live Kenya

The report has further defined the roles of the PM as follows:

A. The Prime Minister shall have authority over the control, supervision and execution of the day-to-day functions and affairs of the Government.

B. The Prime Minister shall be the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.

C. On the President’s tasking, the Prime Minister will chair Cabinet sub-committees.

D. In the exercise of his authority, the Prime Minister shall perform or cause to be performed any matter or matters which the President directs to be done.

E. The Prime Minister will continue to earn his or her salary as a Member of Parliament with no additional salary for the prime ministerial role.

F. The Principal Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister will chair the Technical Implementation Committee of Principal/Permanent Secretaries.

G. To avoid the politicization of the Public Service, the Permanent or Principal Secretaries will not be subject to Parliamentary approval. Their accountability will be strictly administrative and technical.