Kenya: Power-sharing plan to boost Raila's office

August 21st, 2009

 

 

Nairobi (Kenya) — A plan to radically redefine the working relationship between Kenya's President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga was unveiled on Wednesday.

If implemented, the Office of Prime Minister's Strategic Plan would dramatically enhance Mr Odinga's role and end the incessant squabbling with the Office of the President.

The plan, significantly, was launched by President Kibaki. The details were outlined by Mr Odinga at a colourful event in Nairobi.

It also outlines in detail the functions of the Prime Minister's office, including direct responsibility for the implementation of eight key priorities expected to steer the country's economy and put it on the path to realising Vision 2030.

President Kibaki used the occasion to press the urgency of some of the stated priorities, ordering the removal of "all forms of human habitation" from all water catchment areas in the country "without any further delay".

He directed that all forest land illegally lost to private individuals and developers be reclaimed and replanted with trees.

A proposal for reclamation of the vital Mau Forest and removal of settlers has caused friction between Mr Odinga and his key partners in the ODM wing of the coalition government, a group of Rift Valley MPs led by Agriculture minister William Ruto.

Others will be the upgrading of slums and youth employment under the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme.

The president also ordered police to launch a massive crackdown against criminals so that Kenyans can "peacefully go about their business."

A key element in the plan is the proposal that Permanent Secretary in the PM's office enjoy equal power and responsibility with the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, who also served as Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet.

The two posts are held by Dr Mohammed Isahakia and Mr Francis Muthaura, respectively.

Mr Odinga made a firm commitment to transform the public service and bring a new focus on results. "We stand together with the President in wanting a public service that works well for Kenyans and that steers us towards the aspirations set out in vision 2030," said the PM.

"This means planning together, sharing information, developing policies together and ensuring that plans get implemented," he said.

Ever since the post of Prime Minister was created as part of the power-sharing deal that ended the post-election violence, there has been constant friction between Mr Odinga's office and Mr Muthaura.

The constitutional and legal amendments that created the new post gave the PM power to coordinate and supervise all operations of government, but the post of Head of Public Service, who also coordinates and supervises government functions, remained with Mr Muthaura at the Office of the President.

The proposals may rekindle the perennial controversy about the interpretation of the power-sharing accord.

According to the strategic plan, the new arrangement will allow the PM to effectively supervise activities of other ministries, a function that has been resisted by functionaries at the OP, and even by some Cabinet ministers.

Although the new plan falls short of earlier calls for scrapping of Mr Muthaura's position altogether and transferring his functions to the PM's office, it proposes a system in which the offices of President and Prime Minister will share several responsibilities, including coordination of Cabinet affairs.

The plan also proposes creation of an inter-ministerial coordination and steering committee chaired by the Prime Minister.

Currently, the PM exercises coordination and supervision of government operations by chairing five of the six cabinet committees -- finance, planning and administration, infrastructure, productive sector, service sector and public private and partnership committees.

The strategic plan also proposes the sharing of supervision and coordination powers between the PM and his two deputies.

If the plan is adopted, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi will get defined responsibilities and powers in their roles as deputy prime ministers.

Each will have an office and staff, including a director of coordination, a political officers, a parliamentary office and a deputy director of communication.

In addition, it spell out several priority areas that are expected to drive growth and development under the PM's office.

Special focus will be given to reforms as stipulated under Agenda Four, environmental protection, food security, fight against corruption and infrastructure development.

 

source.The Nation (Kenya)