In a twist of events where we can only claim to be miracles happening, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto seem to be on the same side as they both agree that Cabinet Secretaries should sit in parliament as part of constitutional reforms.
Speaking at his Capitol Hill Square office in Upperhill, Odinga stated the reform would enhance governance and accountability compared to the current setup.
“I believe the composition of cabinet needs to change to include MPs,” Odinga told Daily Nation shortly after a meeting of Kenyan representatives of Asian descent.
“But let Kenyans openly debate the options because, at the end of the day, it is the people of Kenya who shall decide,” he added.
If this proposal is adopted, the president will pick some or all members of the cabinet from parliament. The current constitution does not allow the president to pick politicians in his cabinet.
However, the opposition leader disagreed with Ruto on the modalities.
Odinga stated that Ministers should be picked from sitting MPs while the Deputy President noted the ministers should be ex-official members of parliament.
Ruto, during his public address in Chatham, United Kingdom, proposed that Ministers attend parliament sittings at least once a week and whenever required to answer questions on the floor of the house.
The DP further noted that the parliamentary system of government, advocated by the opposition leader, was meant to create positions for election losers.
Supporters of Deputy President William Ruto believe the ODM leader wants to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, however, Odinga disagrees with this line of argument.