While National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale has been in the front line supporting Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 candidature, the veteran legislator seems to be drifting away.
On Tuesday, Duale reiterated that Kenya should adopt parliamentary system of government, which will see introduction of Prime Minister post with the occupant expected to be head of government.
According to Duale, the system will narrow the gap in misrepresentation, adding that small communities will also have a chance to govern the country.
But his change of heart and decision to back President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga's BBI proposals, which are yet to be made official, could be an early communication on his intentions.
“It’s the Parliamentary system where the masses can access equity and inclusivity in terms of education, economic power and political power,” he said Tuesday, promising to rally the pastoralist community in endorsing the referendum to change the constitution before the 2022 General Election.
His sentiments reflects Raila Odinga's recent speech that he will ensure there are radical changes before Kenya goes to polls. Specifically, Odinga is keen to have PM post reintroduced.
Deputy President William Ruto has been opposing creation of new posts, a move which contradicts Duale's position. The DP has often dismissed such moves as burden to the people.
The DP has been busy campaigning to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, an indication that he's not interested in Parliamentary system of government.
“We have enough political positions to go round and I will not support calls by a group of people to start discussing how to amend the Constitution to create political positions instead of addressing unemployment and poverty in the country,” said the DP in a past event.
Mr Duale's position now reflects that of Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju, who says that the country will have no option other than to change the constitution.
“Now, however, brilliant we may be, a Constitution is about a contract and a contract should involve discussion between the two — the governed and the government,” the Jubilee Secretary General said.
A contract, he noted, is not something a handful of people can sit in a room and say “we have some brilliant ideas here of how we should govern this country.”
“Consultation with Wananchi is very key and that is exactly what the BBI team has been doing and our party is fully behind the team and will adhere to its report,” added Mr Tuju.