OVERSIGHT ROLE

We won't accept opposition leader office — Senator Hezena

She said Azimio has issues with the outcome of the presidential election

In Summary
  • “When we refuse the office of the leader of opposition it is because we have pending issues with presidential election results,” the senator said.
  • She said they will wait for Raila's directions on the way forward.
Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian
DISPUTED ELECTION: Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian
Image: Twitter

Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian has said the opposition will not accept a proposal to create the office of the leader of opposition.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya senator said given that the opposition has issues with the outcome of the last presidential election, they are not ready to take up the position.

“When we refuse the office of the leader of opposition it is because we have pending issues with presidential election results,” she said on Friday in an interview with Citizen TV.

“Until our issues are resolved we cannot move forward with anything including accepting to occupy the office as being suggested by anybody.”

The MP said the opposition still believes that Azimio leader Raila Odinga won the August 9 presidential election and until he gives directions otherwise, they will stay put.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission declared Ruto the winner of the tightly-fought race.

The Supreme Court also affirmed Ruto's win.

“We only follow what the principal says and the position is that we have issues with the previous election,” Hezena said.

President William Ruto's administration is proposing to create the office of the leader of official opposition as part of what he has called strengthening institutions of governance.

Ruto has argued that such an office will keep the government in check as required in a democratic set up that calls for strong oversight institutions as pillars of good governance.

 

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