Atwoli faults BBI report

Trade unionist Francis Atwoli has faulted the Building Bridges Initiative report for proposing creation of a weak Prime Minister.

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) secretary-general said the BBI report failed to clearly outline the leadership structure.

Instead, the BBI task force vested all power in the presidency, said Mr Atwoli.

Mr Atwoli said that an all-powerful presidency is the root of all problems in the country.

The unionist was speaking on Thursday during a Cotu National Executive Committee meeting held at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu.

“We know very well what is ailing this country but we are afraid to face it head-on,” MMr Atwoli said the Cotu boss.

As it is, the BBI report, he said, only suggests the introduction of Prime Minister position to be appointed by the President, who will not be part of the Executive, but rather the head of Parliament.

Atwoli warned that the report if implemented as is, the divisive polls are likely to be witnessed the electioneering period.

The Cotu boss wants a technical committee established to recommend a parliamentary system of government, with a Prime Minister in charge of government.

He added that the Prime Minister must have two deputies with the President also having two deputies to create an all-inclusive government.

“We must have a situation where the president reaches out to other candidates who lost the election to fill some of these slots,” he said.

The other proposals in the report, he said, must be addressed through full implementation of the Constitution.

“Corruption for example is already addressed by the Constitution under Chapter Six but the leadership has not been able to enforce this,” he said.