Plans underway to create a powerful office for Raila Odinga
Plans underway to create a powerful office for the Azimio la Umoja coalition leader, Raila Odinga
Plans underway to create a powerful office for the Azimio la Umoja coalition leader, Raila Odinga
A push to have the office of the official opposition leader could see the Constitution amended to embed a powerful office that will keep the government in check.
According to reports, a bill has been drafted that would grant Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, broad powers, including the ability to nominate individuals to constitutional statutory commissions and funding from the Exchequer to ensure ongoing oversight of government.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, created by a technical committee of the Azimio coalition, could see the law altered through a legislative motion to establish the office of the official opposition leader and their position.
The office, to be funded by the Exchequer, will have “all such powers and discretion necessary to solicit and mobilize for funding from all such sources, including donor funding to supplement its budgetary allocations to finance its various activities”.
According to Article 92A (3) of the proposed document, the leader of the official opposition will be allowed to identify and appoint “such staff as shall be necessary for the execution of the said office whose remuneration, benefits and allowances shall be drawn from the Exchequer subject to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.”
It also seeks to amend Article 260 of the Constitution to include the office of the leader of opposition under the category of ‘state office’.
“The leader of opposition shall be the candidate nominated by a political party or coalition party or coalition of political parties which secures the second greatest number of votes in any concluded presidential elections and whose political party receives at least 25 percent of all the members of the National Assembly,” states the draft Bill.
According to sources familiar with the situation within Azimio, coalition leaders Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Party were informed of the intentions at the Tuesday meeting of the Parliamentary Group.
“It is a work in progress. Let’s compare notes on Friday after the Bill is presented to our principals,” the source told the Nation.
Nation has learned that Western countries are pressuring President William Ruto to expedite the establishment of the office as a follow-up to his commitment made during his Chatham House address in the run-up to the elections.
Summary of proposed Leader of Official Opposition role:
1. Be a symbol of national unity
2. Ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
3. Scrutinise, criticize and make suggestions of improvements to legislation, policies, and financial proposals by the government.
4. Survey, appraise and criticize government administration.
5. Ventilate citizens’ grievances.
6. Address a special sitting of Parliament once every year and may address Parliament at any other time.
7. Examine expenditures and public accounts.
8. Seek information on and clarification of government policy and directives.
9. Appoint a representative to sit in various select committees for recruitment into the various constitutional and statutory commissions
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Will be a state officer enjoying the trappings of power including the hiring of staff.
13. Enjoy protection from legal proceedings
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