Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss Shollei on Monday, August 28, revealed why the Kenya Kwanza camp is supporting the establishment of the Office of the Opposition Leader for Raila Odinga.
Appearing on KTN News, Shollei explained that the office will make the Azimio leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga more productive.
According to the Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, Raila causes chaos after every election and that the office will give him something important to do instead of going to the streets.
“We are saying, let’s make him productive and legitimate as a leader of opposition and give him something to do that is more useful to Kenyans instead of going to the streets and causing mayhem,” stated Boss
Further, Boss said there are other ways of creating the Office of the Opposition Leader without amending the Constitution.
The lawmaker explained that the National Assembly can amend the political parties and the election act on the nominations.
“So, you can say political parties when they nominate, one of the people they should nominate as a member of parliament is the person who had the second largest number of presidential votes.
When he comes to the National Assembly, he then automatically becomes the Leader of the Minority,” stated the Deputy Speaker.
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The deputy speaker was responding to Kitui Central legislator Makali Mulu who asked the real intention behind the creation of the Office of the Opposition.
According to Mulu, there are arguments that creation of the office may require a referendum since it interferes with the governance structure of the legislative arm of the government.
For this reason, Mulu questioned whether the move is meant to benefit Kenyans or to cool off political temperatures.
Ruto on Opposition Office for Raila
President William Ruto emphasized that his government is ready to oversee the formation of the Office of Opposition Leader.
Speaking in Bungoma, on Sunday, August 27, President Ruto said this will enhance oversight role of the opposition.
Further, the president stated the office will allow the opposition to perform its role within the law.
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“If they want us to create the office of the leader of opposition, I am ready to fund with the government of Kenya. He (Raila Odinga) will be releasing statements from morning until evening on where the government is lacking. I have no problem,” he said.
However, the president said that his government will not accept chaos, demonstrations, and destruction of property in the name of oversight.
