President William Ruto’s UDA party has hinted at backing the proposal that seeks to create an office for the leader of the opposition. UDA has said nothing negative about the plans by opposition MPs to lobby government to back their Bill to pass in the flour of the house.
If passed, the office will give Opposition Chief Raila Odinga a lot of powers, including an annual address to the National Assembly and powers to nominate officers to serve in constitutional statutory commissions.
“The President himself has repeatedly stated that he wants a strong opposition to check his government and as a party we share his vision. I’ve not heard of any approach to our side to support that Bill, but if that request comes to me, I will sanction it because for us to have a fair government that serves its people effectively, opposition must be allowed, and that’s democracy that we all cherish,” UDA National Chairman Johnson Muthama said.
But Muthama warned the drafters of the Bill to ensure that it’s fair and does not infringe on the rights of other office bearers as the office will be funded by the exchequer.
Azimio lawmakers want to amend Article 260 of the Constitution to include the office of the leader of opposition under the state office category to afford Odinga some descent way of operation.
The move is led by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi who argues that having a bipartisan support on any Bill on the floor of the House would not be impossible if such a Bill “seeks to benefit the people of Kenya.”
Though Muthama threw his support behind the proposal, some vocal politicians in UDA party have hinted at opposing the Bill.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Belgut MP Nelson Koech have said that creation of the office is not a priority of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“The President has indicated that amendments to the constitution shall not be given priority. The creation of office of the opposition leader shall unnecessarily strain the country’s resources,” Cherargei said.
The push to create the office of the official opposition leader could see the Constitution being amended through a parliamentary initiative to embed a powerful office to keep the government in check.
