The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Wednesday explained why they want the Prime Minister's position reinstated.
According to the party's Deputy Secretary General Florence Mutua, the creation of the post of Prime Minister will ensure that the actions and decisions of the executive are subjected to stringent parliamentary scrutiny.
The Busia Woman Representative further opined that a time has come for the review of the structure of government at the national level to shift the nation towards a Parliamentary System of Government.
"We shall never say that this is the right time to amend the Constitution because emerging issues will always be there... so this is the time. We have done a few years and we know the issues affecting us," she stated.
The ODM Deputy Secretary-General further noted that it would possibly be beneficial to officiate the formation of economic blocks among counties in order to take advantage of economies of scale.
"Perhaps it is time to formalize such arrangements into federal governments with functions that traverse county borders such as roads and agriculture.
"In the Bomas Draft, devolution took the form of 14 federal governments. It’s only after the review in Kilifi then Naivasha that the 47 counties we presently have were established" Mutua added.
The ODM official further raised concern that the gaps in the legislative framework of devolution leave too much to the discretion of the National Government making it a supervisory entity instead of a collaborator to make devolution a success.
"The discretion the Treasury exhibits in the schedule of transfer of funds to Counties has resulted in the crippling of devolved operations due to unpredictable finance. Currently, Counties are just getting approvals for recurrent expenditure!" Mutua quipped.
There has been a push from the opposition including ODM Party leader Raila Odinga for the country to hold a Constitutional amendment referendum before the 2022 General Elections.
"What we need to do is agree as Kenyans that we need change and it starts with us. Somethings must change fundamentally in this Country and now is the time. Building Bridges shouldn’t be politicized neither should the referendum!" Mutua stated.
