Odhiambo Orlale And Muchemi Wachira
11 May 2008
Nairobi — Prime minister Raila Odinga was on Saturday asked to reconsider his negative stand on plans by 65 MPs to form what they term a grand opposition.
Speaking separately by phone, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale and former Subukia MP Koigi wa Wamwere said they were looking up to the ODM leader to promote democracy by supporting an effective opposition in Parliament instead of fighting it.
Addressing a two-day induction seminar in Nairobi this week, Mr Odinga accused MPs behind the proposed coalition opposition of blackmailing the Government.
The PM told the MPs that they would not be allowed to rock the grand coalition government from within, and dismissed them as disgruntled elements who were furious after having failed to be appointed to the Cabinet.
He reminded them also that they were sponsored to Parliament by their respective parties which, he noted, had since the December polls decided to form a coalition. So if the MPs are not satisfied, he said, they should resign their parliamentary seats and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate. "Not everyone would have been appointed into the Cabinet," Mr Odinga said.
"Even in a football match there must be the First 11 team who include strikers, defenders, midfielders and the goalkeeper," he added.
"Then we have reserves. And if you are in the reserve it does not mean that you are not a good player."
Kenyans lost
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka had also opposed the opposition, saying tha there was need for all MPs to team up to accelerate economic growth.
"Kenyans lost so much during the post-election violence, and we need to work together, which will be good for our country," he added.
Dr Khalwale, the new chairman of the powerful Public Accounts Committee, said he was shocked to hear the PM oppose plans to form the opposition.
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Raila did not resign so that he could join the government so the point of him asking others to resign is hypocritical. I could not believe my hears when he said those mps want to undermine his government. Does it mean he has been undermining suceesive governments all those years?
I do agree with the prime minister Raila odinga that all those mp's who want to form an oposition to step down as mp's first,then we repeat the by-election and if they win then they can become oposition.right now they are just making noise just for fame,anyway they are new in politics so they dont worry us.