Senator Okiya Omtatah condemns the MoU between President Ruto and Raila Odinga as unconstitutional, calling it a “civilian coup.” He insists that governance must adhere to constitutional law and urges immediate election result announcements without delays.
Senator Okiya Omtatah has sharply criticized the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, labeling it a “civilian coup” against the Kenyan Constitution. He expressed his concerns during a simulcast on NTV and Nation FM, asserting that the MoU, which aims to create a broad-based government, contravenes Article 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which prohibits government formation outside its legal framework.
Omtatah questioned the legality of establishing a broad-based government, stating, “Tell me where in the Constitution you can get a broad-based government. It’s unconstitutional.” He emphasized that the agreement signifies an unlawful power-sharing arrangement that undermines Parliament’s authority and disrupts proper governance.
Furthermore, he highlighted the critical role of Parliament in overseeing presidential powers, proclaiming, “Why should there be an MOU when you have got Parliament? Donated power is exercised through Parliament.” Omtatah called on the public and members of Parliament to advocate for the full implementation of the Constitution, ensuring government actions remain lawfully oriented and in the people’s service.
In addition, Omtatah criticized the current methods of election result tallying and declaration, advocating for immediate results announcement post-voting. He condemned the reliance on central tallying centers, such as the Bomas of Kenya, stating, “Bomas should not be used as a tallying centre.” He reiterated that under Article 138, Clause 10, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should solely declare the results.
Senator Omtatah has raised significant concerns regarding the recent MoU between President Ruto and Raila Odinga, framing it as an infringement on constitutional governance. He calls for the public and Parliament to ensure adherence to constitutional law and highlights the need for reforms in the electoral processes to enhance efficiency. Omtatah’s positions underscore the priority of maintaining lawful governance in Kenya.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
