Restructuring the Kenyan State Restructuring the Kenyan State
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Constitution Working Paper Series No. 1 Restructuring the Kenyan State Restructuring the Kenyan State Restructuring the Kenyan State Joshua M. Kivuva SID Constitution Working Paper No. 1 ii Restructuring the Kenyan State Restructuring the Kenyan State Constitution Working Paper Series No.1 Published by: Society for International Development (SID) Regional Office for East & Southern Africa Britak Centre, First Floor Ragati/Mara Road P.O. Box 2404-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. +254 20 273 7991 Fax + 254 20 273 7992 www.sidint.net © Society for International Development (SID) ISBN No: 978-9966-029-02-7 Printed by: The Regal Press Kenya Ltd. P.O. Box 46166 Nairobi, Kenya Design & Layout: Sunburst Communications Ltd. P.O. Box 43193-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: [email protected] SID Constitution Working Paper No. 1 Restructuring the Kenyan State iii Abstract Since the repeal of Section 2(A) and the return of multiparty politics in Kenya in 1991, Kenyans have, for over 20 years, been trying to redesign and restructure their government. Despite the rejection of the Wako Draft, the quest by Kenyans for a new constitution did not stop. The 2007 post election violence not only convinced Kenyans of the inevitability of a new constitution but also showed the urgency of it. Persistent efforts for a new constitution have resulted in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, which has not only significantly restructured the government and redesigned how the people relate to it, but has also established new systems of governance. This paper examines two things: first, the extent to which the governing institutions have been redesigned and restructured; and second, the extent to which the redesigned and restructured institutions have addressed Kenyans’ pressing social political and economic problems. The paper argues that the 2010 Constitution of Kenya has addressed many of the governance problems experienced in Kenya since independence, but more so has created new structures that will make the government more accountable and transparent, and which, together with the optimism of a new constitution, provide the country with a renewed sense of “rebirth” and a new beginning for the country. SID Constitution Working Paper No. 1 iv Restructuring the Kenyan State Joshua Kivuva holds a PhD from the University of Pittsburg. He is a lecturer in the department of political science and public administration at the University of Nairobi. SID Constitution Working Paper No. 1 Restructuring the Kenyan State v The SID Constitution Working Paper Series In 2010, on the cusp of Kenya’s new constitutional In the first set of papers, Dr Joshua Kivuva, Prof. dispensation, the Society for International Ben Sihanya and Dr. Obuya Bagaka, separately Development (SID) embarked on a project examines how the new constitution has re-ordered called ‘Thinking, Talking and Informing Kenya’s nature of Kenya’s post-colonial state, especially Democratic Change Framework’. Broadly stated, how it has deconstructed the logic of state power the objective of the project was both historical and and rule, deconstructed the ‘Imperial Presidency’, contemporary: that is, to reflect on Kenyans struggles and how it may re-constitute the notorious arm of for a democratic order through a book project, and post-independent Kenya’s authoritarian rule: the to examine the significance of a new constitutional provincial administration. order and its legal and policy imperatives, through a Working Paper Series. The next set of papers in this series, by Dr. Othieno Nyanjom and Mr. Njeru Kirira, separately looks Consequently, SID commissioned research on some at the administrative and fiscal consequences of of the chapters or aspects of the new constitution that Kenya’s shift from a unitary-state to a quasi-federal require further policy and legislative intervention, state system. Whereas Dr. Nyanjom examines culminating in ten Working Papers. These papers, the anticipated administrative and development mostly by Kenyan academics, are intended to help planning imperatives of devolving power; Mr. Kirira shape public discussions on the constitution and to examines the anticipated revenue and expenditure build a stock of scholarly work on this subject. concerns, which may arise in a state with two- tier levels of government. Both discussions take These papers seek to contextualize some of the key place within the context of a presidential system of changes brought about by the new constitutional government that the new constitution embraces. order, if only to underscore the significance of the promulgation of the new constitution on August The paper by Dr. Musambayi Katumanga examines 27, 2010. The papers also seek to explore some the logic of security service provision in post-colonial policy, legislative and institutional reforms that may Kenya. Dr. Katumanga argues that Kenya needs to be necessary for Kenya’s transition to a democratic shift the logic of security from regime-centred to order. citizen-centred security service provision. However, despite several attempts in the recent past, there are The Working Papers explore the extent to which still several challenges and limitations which Kenya the new constitution deconstructs the Kenyan post- must redress. The new constitution offers some room colonial state: how it re-calibrates the balance of for instituting a citizen-centric security reforms. power amongst branches of government and reforms government’s bureaucracy; redraws the nature of The paper by Prof. Paul Syagga examines the vexed state-individual relations, state-economy relations, question of public land and historical land injustices. and state-society relations; and deconstructs the It explores what public land is, its significance and use of coercive arms of the government. Lastly, how to redress the contention around its ownership the papers examine some of the limitations or use. Similarly, the paper examines what constitutes of the new constitution and the challenges of historical land injustices and how to redress these constitutionalism. injustices, drawing lessons from the experiences of SID Constitution Working Paper No. 1 vi Restructuring the Kenyan State other states in Africa that have attempted to redress the public and academic discussions on Kenya’s similar historical land and justice questions. new social contract in a manner that secures the aspiration of the Kenyan people. The papers by Dr. Adams Oloo, Mr. Kipkemoi arap Kirui and Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen, separately SID would like to sincerely thank all those who examines how the new constitution has reconfigured have made the publication of these papers possible, representation and legislative processes. Whereas especially those who participated in the research Dr. Oloo examines the nature of the Kenya’s conceptualization meeting and peer-reviewed electoral systems, new provisions on representations the papers such as: Dr. Godwin Murunga, Prof. and its limitations; arap Kirui and Murkomen look at Korwa Adar, Ms. Wanjiru Gikonyo, Dr. Joshua the re-emergence of a bicameral house system and Kivuva, Dr. Richard Bosire, Dr. Tom Odhiambo, Ms. the challenges of legislation and superintending the Miriam Omolo and Dr. Mutuma Ruteere, for their executive. invaluable input. If the other nine papers examine the structural Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the invaluable changes wrought by the new constitution; the tenth support of the SID staff: Hulda Ouma, Irene Omari, paper, by Mr. Steve Ouma, examines the challenges Gladys Kirungi, Jackson Kitololo, Aidan Eyakuze, and limitations of liberal constitutional order, Edgar Masatu, Stefano Prato, and Arthur Muliro; especially the tensions between civic citizenship as well as Board members Sam Mwale and Rasna and cultural citizenship from an individual stand Warah. Similarly, we would like to thank the point. Perhaps Mr Ouma’s paper underscores the Swedish International Development Cooperation possibility of a self-defined identity, the dangers of Agency (Sida) for their financial support. Our re-creating ethno-political identities based on old gratitude also goes to the Swedish Ambassador colonial border of the Native Reserves - the current to Kenya H. E. Ms. Ann Dismorr; and Ms. Annika 47 counties and the challenges of redressing social Jayawardena and Ms. Josephine Mwangi of Sida for exclusion and the contemporary legacies of Kenya’s supporting this project. ethno-centric politics. Working Papers Series Coordinators The interpretation of the constitution is contested; so will be its implementation. We hope that this Jacob Akech Working Paper Series will illuminate and inform Duncan Okello SID Constitution Working Paper No. 1 Restructuring the Kenyan State vii Contents Acronyms ............................................................................................................................viii 1-0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................1 2.0 A Historical Context .....................................................................................................3 3.0 The Re-Design Of Kenya’s Government. .......................................................................7 3.1 Deconstructing the Imperial Presidency. ............................................................10 3.2 Restructuring the Cabinet ...................................................................................12 3.3 The Provincial Administration ............................................................................13