Kenya to have a Social and Economic Council

Kenya's National Parliament building

By HUDSON GUMBIHI

THE harmonized draft is proposing an institution, which will be advising the executive and legislature about citizens’ socio-economic concerns.
If enacted, then for the first time since independence, Kenya will have the Economic and Social Council comprising of nine qualified intellectuals mandated to shape the country’s destiny as envisaged in Vision 2030.

Members of the Council must also posses experience in economic and social development besides not being biased towards any political affiliation. The harmonized draft is in the final stages of reconciliation after being released and debated on since November 17. Kenyans were given 30 days to express their views about the legal document.

Social economic development

Over the years, Kenya’s socio-economic development has stagnated due to wrong or lack of proper policies. Originators of policies have not been able to ensure they are fully implemented because of political interference and subjective interests.
Additionally, the bureaucratic system wont to Kenyans, has resulted into wanton embezzlement of funds by officials. The sheer fact that an anti-graft body has been set up, is an indication that corruption has been institutionalized, yet citizens are paying direly in taxes, to sustain the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).

However, these approaches to wealth, poverty and corruption, are likely to change drastically should the Council be set up, albeit with the approval of the public who have about five days remaining to amend or endorse the draft.

Advice the national government and parliament

Chapter Fifteen, Part 7 on institutions that include National Revenue Authority and Central Bank of Kenya states: “There is established the Economic and Social Council consisting of nine persons appointed, on the basis of merit but taking into account the diversity of the people of Kenya, by the State President acting on the advice of the Cabinet, with the approval of the National Assembly.”

The functions of the council will be to advise the national government and parliament on matters of economic and social concern to the people, advise the national government on the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategic economic and social policies.

Other mandate will include considering and reporting to parliament on the economic and social implication of all Bills and budgetary proposals introduced in parliament and monitoring progress in the improvement of the living standards of the people of Kenya, particularly the poor and disadvantaged.

However, parliament will enact legislation regulating the manner in which the Council carries out its functions visa-a-visa prescribing the form, content and manner of submitting the reports of the unique organization.