- Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo explained the negative effects of the broad-based government might not be good for Kenya
- Otiende narrated how ODM lawmakers are perceived in parliament whenever they opposed government bills and policies
- The vocal lawmaker further shared his views on ODM supporting President William Ruto in 2027
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi – Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo has shared his views regarding the broad-based government led by President William Ruto.
Source: Facebook
Speaking on Spice FM on Wednesday, October 22, Otiende said the working arrangement between the ODM and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) parties is good for promoting inclusivity in the country.
However, Otiende lamented that the broad-based arrangement has reduced scrutiny of government bills and policies in the National Assembly.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉
Is broad-based government good?
According to the lawmaker, though the ODM-UDA deal is positive for national unity, it is inadvertently weakening parliamentary oversight.
“I can tell you that while the broad-based government is a good thing for this country, one of the unintended effects it has had on Parliament is to reduce the level of scrutiny and opposition to bills that may not be good,” Otiende said.
The vocal lawmaker pointed out that ODM MPs who question certain government proposals and laws are often accused of being against the broad-based arrangement.
Otiende recalled how on many occasions he has been labelled anti-broad-based government for opposing certain laws in the parliament.
“Some of us who question this are then said to be opposed to the broad-based government, but we are not. I am one, for example, because I raise questions during debate, and some people have concluded that I am among those opposed,” he stated.
The Rarieda lawmaker warned that Kenya’s Parliament is increasingly losing its independence in legislative affairs.
How is Kenyan parliament being weakened?
Otiende accused the Executive of capturing legislative processes through political convenience and manipulation.
For instance, Otiende said several lawmakers opposed the controversial cybercrimes laws on the floor of the House, but the government side had the majority of MPs backing the bill
“When the cybercrimes law was debated, some of us opposed it, but in Parliament, the “mood of the House” often decides. Once the Speaker puts the question, the majority prevails, right or wrong, and dissenting voices are drowned in that tide,” he noted.
He further pointed out that currently there is no deal between ODM and UDA regarding backing Ruto’s reelection bid.
“We joined the broad-based government, which, like any other, has a five-year term ending in 2027. We’ll support it for its duration. Until his death, Raila had not indicated what would happen beyond 2027,” the lawmaker said.
More to follow…
Source: TUKO.co.ke
