ODM leader, Raila Odinga, revealed that he had consulted former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, over a parliamentary system of governance after his Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was attacked and threatened by political leaders in Kenya.
Odinga was speaking at the University of Nairobi on Tuesday, September 23, during the launch of Kisumu Governor's, Anyang Nyong'os book, Presidential or Parliamentary Democracy in Kenya? Choices to Be Made.
Nyong'os book vouches for a parliamentary system of government.
"We have been striving to create the parliamentary system through the BBI and in many forums. However, these efforts are hindered by a culture of hatred and fear perpetrated by certain leaders.
"I was talking to former UK President Minister Gordon Brown recently and he told me that a parliamentary system holds the government more accountable to the people. It is being embraced the world over," Odinga revealed.
He dismissed the rumours circulating that BBI and the parliamentary system was only about creating extensive posts within the Executive.
According to Odinga, the system is all about creating institutions that guard against oppressive leaders.
"If we had adopted the Bomas Draft under the leadership of Professor Yash Pal Ghai, we would not be having these problems," Raila lamented.
The Bomas Draft, crafted at the Bomas of Kenya Delegates Conference in 2005, proposed positions of President, Deputy President and a Prime Minister.
Proponents of the Bomas draft had it that it would have allowed smaller communities to be part of the Executive thus encouraging an inclusive system of power-sharing.
BBI has been under several attacks by pro-Ruto politicians. The DP himself once poked holes at the project.
Israel, Japan, Italy, Canada, Netherlands and India adopted a parliamentary system of government.
However, political analyst Herman Manyora deferred and stated that a blend of the two systems (parliamentary and presidential) would benefit the nation.
"I guess it is not a good thing replacing one system with another. The parliamentary system is eye-catching but I do not believe it is the best. We Kenyans have a way of approaching issues from a lazy perspective, picking one good thing that comes for another. I believe it would be better if the two systems were blended. Although that will demand a huge input," Manyora argued while speaking with Kenyans.co.ke newsroom.
Nyong'os event was attended by Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju and Siaya Senator James Orengo.
