Senator Omtatah Criticizes Ruto-Odinga MoU as Unconstitutional

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has condemned the recent MoU between President Ruto and Raila Odinga, calling it a “civilian coup” and unconstitutional. He stresses that governance should adhere strictly to the Constitution and advocates for immediate election result declarations post-voting. Omtatah urges the public and Parliament to ensure the Constitution is fully implemented, protecting democratic processes.

In recent developments, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has expressed strong disapproval of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, labeling it as unconstitutional. He described the agreement as a “civilian coup” against Kenya’s Constitution, arguing that it contravenes Article 3, Clause 2, which prohibits the formation of a government outside constitutional provisions.

During a simulcast on NTV and Nation FM, Senator Omtatah emphasized that the MoU undermines Parliament’s authority and represents an illegal power-sharing arrangement. He questioned the necessity of such an agreement when Parliament exists to exercise donated power and maintain governance. Omtatah encouraged the public and Parliament to advocate for the full enforcement of the Constitution, which he believes should govern in alignment with the people’s interests.

Furthermore, Omtatah raised critical concerns regarding the current electoral system, specifically the inefficiencies in the tallying and declaration of election results. He argued for immediate announcement of results post-voting, as opposed to processing them centrally at locations such as the Bomas of Kenya, which can cause delays. He reiterated that the role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman is simply to formalize results, as per Article 138, Clause 10 of the Constitution.

Senator Okiya Omtatah’s critique of the MoU between President Ruto and Raila Odinga underscores his commitment to uphold Kenya’s Constitution. His concerns regarding the bypassing of parliamentary jurisdiction and the inefficiencies of the electoral system reflect a desire for more transparency and adherence to the legal framework. Omtatah’s call for public and parliamentary action emphasizes the importance of constitutional governance in protecting the interests of the citizenry.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke