Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has disclosed that the government is working on a Draft Transition Executive Authority Bill aimed at establishing formal mechanisms to facilitate presidential transitions several months before a General Election is held.
Mudavadi noted that the Assumption of the Office of President Act of 2012, primarily focuses on swearing in and handing over instruments of power to the incoming Head of State.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary stated that the Draft Bill has provisions that will check any disruption that may be occasioned by the transfer of executive power that could produce results detrimental to the economy, safety, and well-being of Kenya and its people.
He explained that there was a need for all state departments and agencies to begin transition planning well before polls through processes such as the preparation of financial statements and inventories, a move he said will mutually benefit both outgoing and incoming administrations.
Addressing participants at the Multisectoral Consultative Workshop on Post-Election Electoral Reforms Agenda at the Sarova Woodlands hotel, Mudavadi suggested that at least six months before a General Election, the Executive should establish a Transition Coordinating Council, comprising civil servants, eminent persons, top security officers, and representatives of major candidates, to provide guidance to agencies on transition and facilitate communications between the administration and the transition teams.
According to the Assumption of the Office of President Act of 2012, the sitting president forms a committee to oversee the handover of power from himself.
The Committee facilitates the handing over process by the outgoing President to the President-elect, organises for the security of the President-elect, and coordinates the briefings of the President-elect by the relevant public officers, among others.
In accordance with Section 14 of the Assumption of the Office of the President Act, upon signing the certificate of inauguration, the outgoing president shall hand over the following instruments of power and authority: A sword and the constitution.
“We envision an integrated, government-wide approach to transition that will ensure briefing materials are well prepared. There is a need to develop a transition directory of all government departments and agencies with comprehensive information on the finances, assets, personnel, and responsibilities of each state agency,” he added.
Mudavadi indicated that a successful transition between the incumbent administration and the incoming administration should begin with pre-election planning and continue through inauguration day.
He added that it needs to involve key personnel from the outgoing and incoming presidents’ staffs, help familiarise the incoming administration with the operations of the executive branch, and develop a comprehensive policy platform.
“The national interest requires that such transitions in the office of President be accomplished so as to assure continuity in the faithful execution of the laws and in the conduct of the affairs of the government in both domestic and foreign affairs, “he said.
On bipartisan talks, the Prime Cabinet Secretary called for an honest dialogue between the Kenya Kwanza government and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
He said leaders should not approach the proposed bipartisan process with a hidden agenda.
“We support the talks, but dialogue must be geared towards issues affecting the country,” he said.
Mudavadi, who was accompanied by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, said the best way to find solutions to issues articulated by the opposition leaders will be through a parliamentary process.
“The President’s initiative to have dialogue is because he is ready to bring harmony to this country. If we want the nation to move forward, this process must be taken seriously and done genuinely,” said Mudavadi.
Mr. Mudavadi said the government is ready to deliver on promises it made to Kenyans during campaigns, “and it was time to stop politics.”
Mr. Kalonzo told the forum that campaign funding was not just political because it ultimately mutated into a national security issue.
He said there was a need for the country to stay vigilant in holding its politicians accountable by requiring them to reveal the sources of their campaign kitty.
With campaign budgets sometimes estimated to be over Sh20 billion, the Wiper leader indicated that the need to win an election through a cutting-edge contest can easily cause politicians to sell the country and compromise its sovereignty.
“Campaign funding sources should therefore be regulated and checked for integrity and goodwill, so as to curb monies coming from dubious sources such as drug lords, terrorist groups, and even foreign organisations or nations who may want to hold the country at ransom for their selfish gain,” added Mr. Kalonzo.
He pointed out that Kenya is prone to terrorism, money laundering, inflation, and corruption. Mr. Kalonzo explained that it was therefore necessary to have tight measures in place to control the flow of finances into the country.
The Wiper leader stated that the country needs stringent laws and regulations that could help sanitise local campaigns by checking the use of excessive cash by politicians and the sources thereof.
By Anne Mwale
