LSK President, Erik Theuri, has voiced his opposition to the proposed legislation aimed at creating the office of oppostion leader.

In his critique, Theuri highlights that if the bill were to become law, it would grant individuals like Raila Odinga, and future elected officials the authority to appoint their supporters to constitutional and independent commissions. Furthermore, it would enable them to have frequent addresses to the nation and parliament.

Theuri argues that this office runs counter to the current constitutional framework, stating, “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.”

The bill proposes that the office be funded by taxpayers, allowing the officeholder the power to seek additional funding from donors to supplement its budgetary allocation. However, Theuri questions the wisdom of pursuing this office, especially in the face of the country’s challenging economic conditions and high living costs, remarking, “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.”

The LSK president stated that the existing constitutional framework was designed to lead the country towards a new promise, which 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 observes.

Meanwhile, the National Dialogue Committee has initiated discussions on various topics, including the two-thirds gender rule, the cost of living, political party loyalty, constitutional incorporation of political party funds, and the establishment of the Office of the Official Leader of the Opposition, as well as the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

President Ruto has expressed his support for the proposal, believing it will serve as a check on government.

The LSK president emphasizes that the existing constitutional framework was designed to lead the country towards a new promise, which has yet to be fully realized due to political motivations. He observes, “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.”

Meanwhile, the National Dialogue Committee has initiated discussions on various topics, including the two-thirds gender rule, the cost of living, political party loyalty, constitutional incorporation of political party funds, and the establishment of the Office of the Official Leader of the Opposition, as well as the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary. President William Ruto has expressed his support for the proposal, believing it will serve as a check on the government.