The National Assembly’s Public Petition Committee heard submissions from the National Assembly’s Leader of Majority Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah and Leader of Minority Hon. Opiyo Wandayi with regard to a petition to amend the Consitution to establish the Offices of Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Offical Leader of Opposition. 

In his submission, Hon. Ichung’wah noted that having the Office of Leader of Opposition in place would institutionalize governance, strengthen oversight and deepen democracy. 

In response to the Petitioner’s prayer of a “Winner takes it all system”, Hon. Wandayi stated that he is in support of a Parliamentary system of government. Given the case, he was of the opinion that this needs to be done the right way and views of  Kenyans must be heard. 

“I have to state unequivocally, as a progressive movement we have been of the view that the country should go the Parliamentary System,” said Hon. Wandayi.

However, the Committee noted that a hybrid system will interfere with the institutional separation of powers that the current Presidential system advances. They also questioned the proposed change in Parliament's structure which will be tinkered and the financial implications the new offices will have. 

Members agreed that this process needs to have robust public participation before moving forward.

The session was chaired by the Vice Chairperson of the Committee Hon. Janet Sitienei (Turbo).