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BBI is routing for a powerful PM, Ceremonial President

The Building Bridges Initiative is proposing to radically overhaul the governance system by introducing a parliamentary system of government with a powerful Prime Minister and two deputies.

The team is against the winner-takes it all presidential system that they blame for post poll violence and deeply dividing the nation.

The proposals will be handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga next week is seeking to totally reconfigure the arrangement of the executive to address historical injustices and aid national cohesion.

The task force says the views they are presenting to the President take into account the views of Kenyans from the 47 counties including testimonies and petitions from professional bodies.

The 14 man team also collected views from constitutional commissions, the civil society, religious leaders and the business class.

BBI is proposing a parliamentary system of  government with a powerful Prime Minister and a ceremonial President.

The President will remain the head of government and the commander-in-chief of defence forces.

The PM will be elected by Parliament from the party that wins majority seats, moving the battle for executive power to Parliament.

To address the question of exclusivity, the panel is proposing that the president, deputy president, the prime minister and the two deputies should be shared out by at some five different tribes.

Tribes that miss out on the big five plum jobs at the top will share ministerial positions based on tribes or regions to give the cabinet a national face.

Ministerial positions will be filled by members of parliament unlike now that they are not required to be sitting members in national assembly or Senate.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga are BBI proponents who have hinted at possibility of a referendum. The constitution requires that for it be changed, it must be through a referendum.

Politicians allied to the Deputy President William Ruto have repeatedly indicated that they will reject BBI report if it aim to create more positions at the apex of power.