Cabinet sets stage for new electoral body

NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 5 – The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Bill which will now be presented to Parliament.

The Bill seeks to operationalise the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission as set out in the new Constitution.

It proposes the appointment of nine commissioners who will provide non-executive oversight authority to the Commission.

It also proposes a major break from the past, with only the Chairman and Vice Chairman serving at the commission on a full time basis while the other seven commissioners will serve in non executive roles.

The executive responsibility of the Commission will be mandated on a professional secretariat that will be headed by a Chief Executive Officer.

A statement from State House Nairobi said the Cabinet meeting had also approved the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill that will now be forwarded to Parliament for consideration.

“The Commission is an important body which will be mandated to deal with all matters pertaining to the salaries and remuneration of all state and public officials at both the national and county levels,” the statement sent by the Presidential Press Service said.

The Bill proposes that members of the commission will be drawn from the National Defense Council, The Kenya Police Commission,  Public Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and the Teachers Service Commission.

Membership will also be drawn from the Senate to represent the county governments as well as members nominated by the Cabinet Secretary for finance, a member nominated by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of public service and another member representing the trade unions.

“The mandate of the commission includes reviewing and advising on salaries and remuneration of all public servants based on a policy of equal pay for equal work with a focus on equity,” the statement read in part.

The two Bills approved on Tuesday are expected to give a major impetus to the process of implementing the Constitution.

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BERNARD MOMANYI

Bernard is the News Editor at Capital FM. He commands over a decade of experience in news gathering having worked in both print and electronic media. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences (Moi University) and Master of Arts in Communication Studies-Development Communication (University of Nairobi).

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