Friday, December 2, 2022 –-United Democratic Alliance UDA Party National Chairman Johnson Muthama has added his voice on the calls to give Raila Odinga a well-funded opposition office.
Speaking with Nation Media writers, Muthama said opposition role in the country is very important and that, as UDA members, they are going to support that direction.
He also noted that their leader, President William Ruto, was first to talk about a strong opposition so that to check on his government excesses.
“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,” Johnson Muthama told the Nation yesterday Thursday December 1.
He, however, added that the Bill being drafted should be within the required rights so that it does not veer off the norms of leadership and oversight.
“That office needed to be there yesterday, not even today. We are doing it too late. Those in government and opposition are in those positions by the will of the constitution,” Mr Muthama added.
This new draft document seeks to amend Article 260 of the Constitution to include the office of the leader of opposition under the state office category.
The office-holder will have sweeping powers to address the Parliament at will as well as get full funding from the exchequer.
