Nairobi — NGOs have rejected the argument that the new constitution will render the presidency powerless.

The Committee of Experts, which wrote the draft, only dispersed power from the presidency to other institutions, said the lobby groups.

"The presidency still retains substantial powers in public appointments," said Mr Morris Odhiambo, the president of the National Civil Society Congress.

The draft, released last week provides for a ceremonial president who is elected by the people and an executive prime minister drawn from the party with the majority of MPs in the House.

The president, according to the document will still chair the National Security Council and be the commander in chief of the armed forces.

Most of his powers in the current constitution have, however, been transferred to the office of the Prime Minister who will preside over Cabinet meetings. The PM will also direct and coordinate the work of ministries, prepare legislation and be responsible to Parliament.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by Mr Tom Kagwe of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, who said the experts only confirmed what most Kenyans had yearned for.

"It is no secret that Kenyans wanted the powers of the president trimmed. This is nothing new," said Mr Kagwe, the acting deputy director, adding that the system had been tried and tested by many countries including Ireland, China and France.

Laughable

"It is now time we stopped linking these proposals to President Kibaki and PM Raila Odinga like many of us are already doing."

The lobby groups appeared to be responding to claims by Central Kenya MPs who have criticised the proposals.

"Nowhere in the world is a president elected by the people and fails to enjoy the powers of his office. The proposal is laughable," said Mathira MP Ephraim Maina last week.

Similar concerns were also raised on Sunday by Bishop Benard Njoroge, a former commissioner at the defunct Constitution of Kenya Review Commission.