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Inside MP's plan to increase number of Cabinet Secretaries

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

Speaker Justin Muturi to give go-ahead

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi chairs the Committee on Appointments during the vetting of Education CS George Magoha (Twitter)

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has developed a new proposal that will see the number of Cabinet Secretaries increased to 26.

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In a proposal to Speaker Justin Muturi, the MP is seeking a go-ahead to draft a bill that will expand the cabinet and create the post of Prime Minister.

Currently the Constitution caps the number of CSs at 22 and Cabinet composition to include the President and his deputy. Kuria's proposal, however, proposes 26 assistant CSs, two deputy PMs and the PM to be added to the cabinet.

Moses Kuria addressing residents at Nyanturago Catholic Church Mosamaro Masaba in Nyamira on Saturday
Moses Kuria addressing residents at Nyanturago Catholic Church Mosamaro Masaba in Nyamira on Saturday Pulse Live Kenya

The legislator's proposal also seeks to change the composition of the county executive team, the county assembly and Senate.

Not a Constitutional Referendum

In his letter to Speaker Muturi, Kuria explains that his proposed changes will not change the structure of government therefore it will not call for a referendum.

"These changes do not require a referendum because they affect the composition not structure of Parliament and Executive.

"They are clearly distinct from an Executive Prime Minister as leader of government which would clearly have required a referendum as it is changing the structure of Executive and legislature," Kuria's letter elaborated.

MP Moses Kuria during a past appearance on JKL
MP Moses Kuria during a past appearance on JKL Pulse Live Kenya

Should the MP be allowed to draft the bill, a presidential candidate will be required to vie in a joint ticket with candidates for deputy president, prime minister and two deputy prime minister positions.

"With all five having different ethnic backgrounds; the joint-candidates for prime minister and deputy prime minister should vie for election as members of the National Assembly.

"In the event a person is elected President but his or her choice of prime minster or deputy prime minister is not elected to Parliament, the prime minister or deputy prime minster shall automatically be nominated as a member of the National Assembly," the proposal directs.

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

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