Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga could soon make a major comeback within the trappings of power.
Local media reports now say that Azimio MPs have embarked on a mission to tweak the Constitution and create an influential office of the official opposition leader and their deputy.
The position set to be occupied by the ODM party leader and his Wiper Party counterpart, Kalonzo Musyoka, will come with sweeping powers, including an annual address to Parliament, freedom to nominate persons to constitutional commissions and various select committees.
It will also receive exclusive funding from the Exchequer to ensure constant oversight of the government.
The draft dubbed the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) could see the law revised through a parliamentary initiative to formalize the creation of the said office.
According to Article 92A (3) of the proposed document, Raila and his deputy Kalonzo will be at liberty to employ their staff whose remuneration, benefits, and allowances shall be drawn from the Exchequer subject to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Further, the holders of the office will be immune to prosecution during their tenure.
Sources within Azimio say that the matter was brought up before its leaders Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka during their Parliamentary Group meeting on Tuesday, but it is still a work in progress.
It will be formally presented to them on Friday, after which notes will be compared and a decision made on the way forward.
The proponents say the leadership structure has worked in other countries, including Jamaica, Fiji and Zambia.
However, the Bill which appears to be a watered-down version of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), touches on the structure of the Constitution and leadership, hence it will require a referendum.
Below is a summary of proposed Leader of Official Opposition role:
- Be a symbol of national unity
- Ensure protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
- Scrutinize, criticize and make suggestions of improvements to legislation, policies and financial proposals by government.
- Survey, appraise and criticize government administration.
- Ventilate citizens’ grievances.
- Address a special sitting of Parliament once every year, and may address Parliament at any other time.
- Examine expenditures and public accounts.
- Seek information on and clarification of government policy and directives.
- Appoint a representative to sit in various select committees for recruitment into the various constitutional and statutory commissions
- Once every year, report, in an address to the nation, on all measures taken and the progress achieved in holding the government of the day to account for its affairs and governance.
- Publish in the Gazette the details of measures and progress achieved, and submit a report for debate to the National Assembly on the progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of the republic.
- Will be a state officer enjoying the trappings of power, including hiring of staff.
- Enjoy protection from legal proceedings.
