Giving Raila Official Office Will Weaken Opposition- TIFA Report
They believe that the opposition would be weakened in its quest to keep President William Ruto's government accountable for its promises.
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Kenyans who are ardent supporters of former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga believe that the creation of the position of the Official Leader of the Opposition would weaken the opposition, according to a new report published by TIFA.
The report stemming from a survey on the State of Kenyan Politics found that 48 per cent of Kenyans believe that the impact of Raila accepting the government position if it was gazetted into law would be negatively felt.
They believe that the opposition would be weakened in its quest to keep President William Ruto's government accountable for its promises.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) arriving at Mukami Kimathi's funeral in Nyandarua on Saturday, May 13, 2023 and greeting President William Ruto (right). /TWITTER.OLIVER MATHENGE
On the other hand, 36 per cent of Kenyans believe that should Raila accept the office, the opposition would be made stronger. 16 per cent meanwhile felt that there would be no difference if Raila accepted to take up the post.
Meanwhile, a majority of Kenyans support the creation of the position of the Official Leader of the Opposition, with 45 per cent of them strongly supporting the move and 21 per cent strongly opposing it.
Another 17 per cent said they are somewhat in support of the creation of the position. While 13 per cent are undecided, only 5 per cent somewhat oppose the creation of an opposition leader’s office.
On Thursday, August 3, Azimio la Umoja listed the establishment of the office of the leader of the opposition as one of the deliberations of the ongoing bipartisan talks, revisiting previous proposals seeking to entrench the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Constitution.
On Friday, December 9, 2022, President Ruto asked Members of Parliament (MPs) to proceed with the amendments to entrench the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Constitution. If successful, the move will see Raila assume the powerful office.
"I, therefore, propose that Parliament consider an amendment to Chapter 9, Part IV of the Constitution to establish the office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, with its operational dimensions to be provided for in consequential legislation.
"The consequence is that the overall political leader of the minority side is effectively excluded from meaningful political participation, and left to rely on the minority house leadership to perform the function,” Ruto stated in a memo written to MPs.
If executed, the proposal would see the opposition enjoy a raft of privileges, including funding operations within the role of providing oversight over the government of the day.
In addition, the entrenchment of the law would see the opposition wield additional powers, from taking part in the appointment of key leaders to state organs and addressing Parliament on the state of the nation.
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