Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri has defected from Deputy President William Ruto's political alliance, endorsing Raila Odinga's campaign to restore a parliamentary governance model through constitutional reforms. The shift occurred on March 7, 2019, as part of ongoing debates over institutional changes aimed at curbing corruption and enhancing accountability.
Ngunjiri, a longtime Ruto associate, argued during a radio interview that the current presidential system hampers oversight of Cabinet Secretaries. He cited instances where officials evade scrutiny by claiming direct accountability only to the president. 'A parliamentary system would enable direct questioning of ministers when irregularities are detected,' he stated, advocating for appointments from legislative ranks to strengthen oversight.
The proposed constitutional reforms seek to establish a prime ministerial role while reducing presidential powers. Ngunjiri's endorsement marked a significant setback for Ruto's efforts to block the changes, which have sparked intense political polarization. The debate intensified as the 2019 referendum approached, with supporters and opponents clashing over governance structures.
The Kenyan Daily Post
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