Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri, has opposed the proposed law to establish the office of the Official Leader of Opposition. If the bill is passed, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party, and future elected officials will be able to appoint supporters to constitutional and independent commissions. Additionally, it would enable them to frequently address the nation and Parliament.
Theuri argues that this office is unlawful and goes against the current constitutional framework.
“We don’t see that position fitting the architectural structure of the Constitution, and it would mean that we need to overhaul the entire Constitution to achieve the creation of that office,” he stated on Citizen TV’s Daybreak show.
To be funded by taxpayers, the Bill would provide the officeholder with powers and discretion to seek funding from donors to supplement the budgetary allocation for its activities.
However, Theuri believes that the campaign to establish this office would be unwise, especially given the country’s challenging economic conditions and high living costs.
“We are going through a very difficult situation; high cost of living, and because of all those considerations, I think that we have to live with the current structure that we have, and ensure that we implement our constitution much more faithfully,” he noted.
The LSK president went on to say that the current Constitutional structure aims to lead the country to a new promise, one that has yet to be fully realized due to political motivations.
“People are trying to claw back on the provisions of the Constitution, attempting to take us back to a majoritarian leadership, where the Head of the Executive becomes above the Constitution,” he remarked.
The National Dialogue Committee launched ongoing discussions earlier this week on a variety of topics, including the two-thirds gender rule, the cost of living, political party loyalty, constitutional incorporation of political party funds, and the establishment of an office for the Official Leader of the Opposition, as well as the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
President William Ruto has welcomed the proposal, stating that the position will be useful in keeping the government in check.
