National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei believes that the new office of the opposition leader is designed to make Raila Odinga productive.
Shollei’s perspective suggests that this office could quell the recurring anti-government demonstrations while officially legitimizing Odinga’s role in government oversight.
Shollei expressed her viewpoint during an interview with KTN on Monday, highlighting the rationale behind the office’s establishment.
“We’ve observed a pattern where Raila, upon losing elections, resorts to street protests, causing disruptions,” she noted.
“We propose a more productive and legitimate path for him as the opposition leader—engaging in activities that benefit Kenyans rather than resorting to street demonstrations.”
Shollei emphasized that there’s no need for a constitutional amendment to create this position, contrary to some proposals.
Instead, she suggested amendments to the Political Parties Act and the Elections Act, enabling the individual with the second-highest presidential vote count to be nominated for the opposition leader role.
These deliberations come closely after President William Ruto’s announcement of his willingness to establish and financially support the opposition leader’s office, should the opposition request it.
Speaking in Bungoma county during a Thanksgiving service, Ruto highlighted the importance of adherence to constitutional guidelines by the opposition and his openness to facilitating their role.
“If they express the desire for us to create the office of the opposition leader, I’m ready to allocate funds from the Kenyan government,” Ruto affirmed.
“Raila Odinga will be consistently addressing government shortcomings through statements all day long. I have no objections.”
The creation of this office also stands as a subject of discussion within the bilateral negotiations between Kenya Kwanza and the Azimio la Umoja coalition, aimed at reconciling their political disparities.
Kenya Kwanza’s focus is on including the official office of the opposition leader within these talks, a standpoint that the Azimio la Umoja coalition has not yet endorsed.
Azimio’s primary concerns revolve around the high cost of living, the review of the 2022 General Election, bipartisan restructuring of Kenya’s electoral commission (IEBC), upholding the rights of political parties, and promoting inclusivity in governmental matters.
