Senator Okiya Omtatah criticizes the MoU between President Ruto and Raila Odinga as unconstitutional, calling it a ‘civilian coup.’ He urges for the full implementation of the Kenyan Constitution and accountability within Parliament. Omtatah also advocates for reforms in the electoral system to ensure timely results declaration.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has publicly condemned the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, deeming it unconstitutional. He referred to this agreement as a “civilian coup” against the Constitution of Kenya. Omtatah asserts that the MoU seeks to create a broad-based government, which contravenes Article 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution, prohibiting the formation of government beyond the constitutional framework.
In an address broadcasted on NTV and Nation FM, Omtatah emphasized the significance of retaining parliamentary sovereignty and expressed disapproval of the deal’s disregard for legislative authority. He remarked, “Why should there be an MOU when you have got Parliament? Donated power is exercised through Parliament.” This underscores his belief that the MoU undermines essential government operations by bypassing Parliamentary oversight.
Omtatah further called on the public and members of Parliament to advocate for the full realization of constitutional governance that aligns with the citizens’ interests. He also took issue with the current electoral system, pointing out inefficiencies in the tallying and declaration of election results. Omtatah insists that results must be announced immediately post-voting, rather than processed at centralized locations such as the Bomas of Kenya, which frequently delays the announcement of outcomes.
He mentioned, “Bomas should not be used as a tallying centre. According to Article 138, Clause 10, it’s about declaring the results. You don’t make a decision at Bomas, you only formalise it.” This statement illustrates his thoughts on how the electoral process should be streamlined to better represent the will of the voters without unnecessary delays.
In summary, Senator Okiya Omtatah’s critique of the recent MoU between President Ruto and Raila Odinga highlights significant constitutional concerns and the necessity for parliamentary oversight in governance. Omtatah’s call for immediate result declarations in elections further stresses the need for reform in Kenya’s electoral processes, urging all stakeholders to conform to constitutional mandates to ensure governance serves the public’s interest effectively.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
