Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sparked debate over the need to restructure Kenya’s Executive to better accommodate the country’s diverse political landscape.
Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, Cherargei proposed expanding the Executive to include a President, Deputy President, Prime Minister, and two Deputy Prime Ministers. He argued that the current structure, which only features the President and Deputy President, fuels intense political competition during elections due to the “winner-takes-all” system.
The senator believes that implementing recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) will promote equity and political inclusivity. He also suggested that Members of Parliament (MPs) should be eligible for Cabinet appointments without resigning, which would save taxpayers the cost of by-elections.
Cherargei has been vocal in his support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to take up the proposed Prime Minister role, should the Nadco report be adopted. He praised Raila’s collaboration with President William Ruto, asserting that such leadership will foster national unity.
The Nadco report, co-chaired by Kalonzo Musyoka (Azimio) and Kimani Ichung’wah (Kenya Kwanza), recommends the creation of a Prime Minister’s office, as well as an Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition with two deputies. Other proposals in the report include an audit of the 2022 electoral process, addressing the cost of living, and strengthening multiparty democracy laws.
Cherargei’s call for constitutional amendments has reignited discussions on power-sharing and governance reforms in Kenya.
