Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Tuesday stated that a Prime Minister position should be created for President Uhuru Kenyatta upon completion of his presidential term.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, Atwoli noted that Uhuru is still young and should not be let to retire at the end of his current second and final presidential term.
"Let us amend this Constitution and adopt the Bomas draft to fight exclusion, realising that not all of us can be president.
"This will allow us to accommodate President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is very young. Otherwise, where are we going to take him?” asked Atwoli.
[caption caption="File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli"]
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According to the Bomas draft constitution, it proposed the transferring of the bulk of presidential powers to a prime minister who is elected by parliament.
Opposition Supremo Raila Odinga, who was at the event, did not comment on the matter as he only emphasised on his unity deal with the Head of State.
However, leaders from across the political divide have rubbished Atwoli's remarks terming them as uncalled for.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and leaders of Majority Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed Atwoli's call, claiming that it is "shortsighted."
Muturi noted that although every Kenyan had the right to comment on the matter, calls for amending the Constitution should not have a specific individual in mind.
Speaking to the Standard on the matter, Muturi exclaimed: "Constitutions are never made for an individual or community. If we go that way, we shall lose. Even if there is an amendment to the Constitution, let it be to strengthen governance institutions and for posterity. It is his opinion (Atwoli), but matters to do with law and the Constitution should be about institutions,” the Speaker added.
On his part, Duale advised those agitating for a change of the Constitution to pursue the matter as provided by the law.
"President Kenyatta has made it clear that he is happy to retire. If Atwoli is looking for jobs for some people, he should state so and stop using the President’s name,” Duale asserted.
Whereas, Murkomen announced: "Atwoli’s suggestion is warped. Our focus is not how to create jobs for individuals but for millions of Kenyans. The President is well catered for and does not need any position created for him.”
However, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna added that the party supports amendments to the constitution that would bring all communities together.
"We are not amending the Constitution with someone in mind. We were always supportive of the Bomas draft because it captured the aspirations of the people," Sifuna noted.
Kakamega County boss Wycliffe Oparanya stated that changes to the law should not be done for an individual but to accommodate more communities.
Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula announced that he supports the amendment to expand the structure of the Executive and not to include individuals in the Government.
[caption caption="File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga"]
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