Ruto Creates Opposition Office

President William Ruto said on Sunday that if the opposition demands it, he is willing to create the position of leader of the opposition in parliament.

President Ruto said that he is even ready to fund the office if creating it will allow them keep the government in check better. 

Speaking during a Thanksgiving service in Kanduyi constituency, Bungoma county, Ruto asserted that the opposition must operate within the guidelines of the constitution and that he will offer them a hand in discharging their role.

“If they want us to create the office of the leader of opposition I am ready to fund with the government of Kenya. He (Raila Odinga) will be releasing statements from morning till evening on where the government is lacking. I have no problem,” he said.

“If he says I have not fixed something, and indeed I have not won’t I fix it? I have no issue.”

The Head of State, however, maintained that he would not allow any form of chaos to be instigated by any leader in the name of opposing the government at the expense of Kenyans.

He vowed to protect the lives and property of Kenyans, condemning the anti-government protests which have been staged by the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

“What I cannot condone whatsoever is chaos and the destruction of property and destroying people’s businesses to sabotage the economy of Kenya. That is not acceptable. It is unpatriotic, undemocratic, illegal, unconstitutional and against the rule of law.

This comes amid talks between the opposition and government in a bid to solve a long-standing political dispute.

The 10-member joint committee, with five representatives from each side, is deliberating a myriad of contentious matters including the high cost of living fronted by Azimio.

Other issues are a review of the 2022 General Election, and the bipartisan reorganisation of Kenya’s electoral commission (IEBC), respect for political parties in accordance with the constitution and inclusivity in governmental affairs.

Kenya Kwanza, on the other hand, wants the reconstitution of the IEBC, implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, the establishment of the opposition leader’s official office, the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund, and the embedding of the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office.