The Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, chaired by Narok West MP, Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo, held a significant meeting today to discuss the Assumption of Office of the President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2025. The Bill, sponsored by Majority Party Leader Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, aims to amend the Assumption of the Office of the President Act to establish clear procedures and ceremonies for the assumption of office by the President-elect in accordance with Article 141 of the Constitution.
The key goal of the Bill is to ensure a smooth transition of executive authority both before and after a presidential election. During the meeting, the Committee engaged with several key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Office of the Deputy President, the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, the Head of Public Service, the Office of the Attorney General, and the National Police Service. The discussions centered around gathering input on the Bill and addressing potential areas for improvement.
Dr. Aurelia Rono, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, affirmed her department's full support for the Bill. This support was echoed by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, as well as the Office of the Attorney General.
The Office of the Deputy President, however, expressed conditional support. Mr. Henry Mwaura, Head of Legal at the Office, proposed amendments to Clause 9(f) to include the Deputy President-elect. He suggested that the Bill should specify that necessary facilities and personnel be organized for both the President-elect and Deputy President-elect, ensuring clarity in the process.
Furthermore, the Office of the Deputy President requested revisions to Clauses 18(2) and 18(3), which address the Committee’s responsibilities and timelines for providing relevant information.
Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, also appeared before the Committee to express the National Police Service’s support for the Bill, while proposing a few minor amendments for further clarification.
The Committee emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the composition of the Assumption of Office Committee, with a focus on clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of individual members. The Committee also recommended setting specific timelines for actions outlined in Clauses 8(3)(b), 14, 15, 20(2), 21(2), 23(2), and 24(1), which are currently restricted.
As the deliberations continue, the Committee is set to prepare a report on the Bill, which will be tabled in Parliament when the House resumes next week. The Bill's passage is expected to have significant implications for ensuring a seamless transfer of power following future presidential elections.
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.