Peter Opiyo
17 April 2008
Nairobi — A group of MPs are pushing for Parliament to recognise the small political parties as the official opposition.
Led by Budalangi MP, Mr Ababu Namwamba, the 28 MPs said given the formation of a coalition Government, it should be kept in check.
"We are announcing the formation of a grand coalition opposition to keep the coalition government in check," said Namwamba.
Following the formation of a coalition Government, there is no official opposition in Parliament as no single party has the mandatory 30 MPs as required by the House rules. The Standing Orders give the Speaker the mandate to have the final say on a matter that is not prescribed in the House rules, such as this.
Consequently, the MPs' fate is now in the Speaker's hands and he is expected to give a ruling on the matter Thursday afternoon.
If the ruling will not be in their favour, the 28 have vowed to initiate amendments to the House rules to favour their position.
Namwamba said the group had already convinced 60 MPs to its side as they await the ruling.
They welcomed the Chair's directive to the Leader of Government Business that the composition of various House Committees be shelved until the Speaker's ruling on the matter today.
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