Why Kenya needs an “Official Opposition”

The call for an official opposition reminds me of the changing of Section 2.A of the Kenyan Constitution to usher in the multi-party error. Now that we have a grand coalition i.e. with many parties amalgamated in this huge polygamous political marriage, should we assume this is one big family that will sit at one table and agree and/or compromise at all times for the interest of an emerging democracy country like Kenya.

If one can answer this question affirmatively without blinking then I have no doubt you are out of touch with reality because even in polygamous marriages, one wife always feels that she is not getting the equal treatment!

Why do we need an opposition? Let us start by answering this question by agreeing that an opposition is meant to provide an alternative government, a constitutional institution that blows the horn when the mainstream Government seems to be neglecting what seems to be obvious, and not forgetting that an opposition will convince the public that they can run the government better i.e. keep the grand coalition in check.

To sum it up, the opposition will play the role of the devil’s advocate! On the other hand a coalition is to help government bills sail through parliament whether they are members of the cabinet or not. Let us not mix up two issues- critics of government and opposition.

Even members of the cabinet can criticize government policies which they don’t agree with in the right forum ( presumably in cabinet meetings) but being in the opposition means that you are fighting (legally) to topple the government and that is why you can’t have it both ways, support and oppose the government. If coalition MPs want to be in the opposition to their own government then they simply have to resign and seek new mandate. Period!