Has Deputy President William Ruto finally took a stand with regards to the referendum?
For sometime now, the DP has been giving mixed signals with regards to whether or not he supports the constitution.
Ruto has become a man that gives different opinions on the referendum depending on the ground he is standing at. For instance. when Ruto is in Raila’s backyard, he dances to the referendum tune and when he immediately visits his strongholds, he dances to the anti-referendum tune.
So what exactly does the Country’s second in command want?
Well, during a lectureat London’s Chatham House, Ruto, according to his remarks made it crystal clear that he is against the referendum.
First,the DP said that he rejects the creation of a Prime Minister’s position.
“The suggestion on Prime Minister post has two problems: It does not solve the problem, which is that we need a functional, constitutional official opposition; and if created, it would still be taken by the winning party,” he said.
Ruto suggested that instead of the PM’s position, an official opposition should be created.
“The national government should be reconfigured to comprise the National Executive and the Official Opposition,” he said.
Ruto said the National Executive should be headed by the President, while the Official Opposition should headed by the leader of the party or coalition of parties whose presidential candidate wins the second highest votes.
“This formula should apply at the county level,” he said. Ruto said the Leader of Opposition will take leadership of the opposition in Parliament, while the Deputy President should take over the leadership of Government Business in Parliament.
“This should be replicated with the deputy governor at the counties.”
Ruto further said the Senate must be made the Upper House and Cabinet secretaries should be ex-official Members of Parliament.
He said the move was aimed at connecting the Legislature and the Executive to improve services.
“The CSs must attend sittings of Parliament at least once every week and whenever required to answer questions on the floor of the House,” Ruto said.
Do you agree with DP Ruto’s latest suggestions?
To resolve the winner-takes-all system, presidential election losers should assume leadership of the Official Opposition. pic.twitter.com/yAzFjRXfCl
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 8, 2019