Okiya Omtatah critiques the MoU between Ruto and Raila for its unconstitutionality, branding it a “civilian coup”. He argues that it undermines Parliament’s authority and calls for strict adherence to constitutional governance. Additionally, he advocates for electoral process reforms to ensure timely result declarations.
Okiya Omtatah, the Busia Senator, has criticized the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, labeling it a “civilian coup” against Kenya’s Constitution. He contends that the MoU, which aims to create a broad-based government, violates constitutional provisions, particularly Article 3, Clause 2, which prohibits forming a government outside the established legal framework. Omtatah insists that there is no constitutional basis for such a government structure.
During an appearance on NTV and Nation FM, Omtatah declared, “Mr. Raila Odinga and Mr. Ruto have staged a civilian coup against the Constitution of Kenya.” He labeled the MoU as an illegal power-sharing deal that circumvents Parliament and risks undermining its authority in governance. Omtatah further stressed the need for Parliament to retain its role in overseeing the President’s powers, emphasizing that governance should remain tethered to constitutional provisions.
He questioned, “Why should there be an MoU when you have got Parliament? Donated power is exercised through Parliament,” asserting the importance of legislative oversight. He called on both the public and Parliament to advocate for strict adherence to the Constitution to ensure that governance serves the populace’s best interests.
In addition to the MoU, Omtatah spotlighted concerns regarding Kenya’s electoral system, particularly the processes surrounding vote tallying and result declaration. He argued for immediate announcements of election results post-voting rather than relying on centralized tallying centers like the Bomas of Kenya, which frequently delay confirmations of outcomes. Omtatah stated, “Bomas should not be used as a tallying centre. According to Article 138, Clause 10, it’s about declaring the results.” He clarified that the role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman is to formally announce results, not to decide them at the tallying center.
Senator Okiya Omtatah has raised critical concerns regarding the recent MoU between Ruto and Odinga, calling it unconstitutional and a breach of the Kenyan Constitution. He emphasizes the need for Parliament’s involvement in governance and argues for reforms to the electoral process for timely result declarations. Omtatah’s assertions reflect a commitment to uphold constitutional integrity and promote accountability in governance.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
