Should we allow MPs to be Ministers also???
The present constitution of
“Qualifications and disqualifications for election as member of Parliament
99 (2) A person is disqualified from being elected a Member of Parliament if the person—
(a) is a State officer or other public officer, other than a Member of Parliament;”
In my opinion, when holding two offices at the same time, an MP would not be able to serve his people as effectively as he would be able to if he only held one office. For example Benadict Gunda, the Bahari MP had his constituency voted as the best in project implementation. I think he managed to achieve this as he is only an MP. When an MP holds two offices, it means both his constituents as well as his ministerial office needs him for five years. In one way or the other he would end up not being able to perform both duties diligently.
In the new constitution it also states that Ministers aren’t allowed to have an assistant therefore, making them answerable to their ministries.
“In the new Kenyan Constitution, MPs will pay taxes, the number of ministers will be reduced by half and voters will be able to recall MPs who fail to discharge their duties properly.” This piece of information is quoted from the Zambian Watchdog.
Comparing
I am in support of the Draft Constitution because I believe that in the long run we would make a big stride in development and our leaders in the Government would take a more responsible role in their Ministries. There would be less corruption and more accountability if these two duties were to be separated.
What do you think? Please leave your comments.
Thank you :)
I think you have stated your opinion very well, however, I disagree. The people in the MP's constituency have elected him/her to represent them, and he/she is the person they trust and have faith in to represent them. Why should they have to settle for second best just because their MP wants to become a minister? It isn't fair on the people he represents if he becomes minister then.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog :)
I agree that the constituents have chosen their MP since they have trust in him, but most MPs here in Kenya have not been able to dedicate more time in their constituencies as they have to take care of their Ministerial Office too. This tends to stretch their resources both in time and money. Therefore, I am of the opinion that they should not play two roles at a time.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a minister should not be a MP. He should be a civil servant in the real sense and hired for performing a task and fired if he fails to do so.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, dear.
Dr M Jamal
yes i think that you are right and mps should not be ministers. good job
ReplyDeleteNice and i agree that M.Ps should NOT be ministers.It is a very nice blog and it is obvious that you have put in a lot of effort
ReplyDeletei think mps do can not do both and one of the reasons for that is because they do not have time.
ReplyDeletenyc blog
Good informative blog!! I agree too, MP's should not be ministers as the country would be corupt and there would not be economic developments to improve the country.The government should be able to act more responisbly in taking up these roles.
ReplyDeleteNice blog!!