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Dialogue committee recommends return of Prime Minister, Leader of Official Opposition

The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) co-chairs Kalonzo Musyoka of the Azimio Coalition and Kimani Ichung'wah of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition during the unveiling of the report on 25 November 2023. (Photo: X/Kimani Ichung'wah)

By Dennis Tarus | Sunday, November 26, 2023

The committee said the Prime Minister shall be nominated and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appointed by the President.

The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) has recommended the return of the twin offices of the Prime Minister and the Leader of Official Opposition.

While unveiling the final report of its deliberations, the committee said the Prime Minister shall be nominated and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appointed by the President.

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"We recommend the establishment and entrenchment of the Office of the Prime Minister in the Constitution as a means of improving governance and coordination of functions of the executive arm of government," the committee said in its report.

According to the committee, the Prime Minister shall assist the President and the Deputy President in the coordination, supervision, implementation and supervision of national government policies, programmes and projects across all government ministries and state departments.

The PM shall also coordinate the national government’s legislative agenda across all ministries and state departments and perform any other function as may be directed by the President.

On the Office of the Official Opposition, the committee recommended that the Constitution be amended to establish the office holder shall be the person who is the leader of the largest party/coalition of political parties which garnered the second-greatest number of votes in the immediately preceding the presidential election; or the person designated by the party/coalition of political parties which garnered the second-greatest number of votes in the

immediately preceding the presidential election to hold that Office in accordance with the party/coalition agreement.

Functions

The committee further recommended two deputies to the Leader of the Official Opposition.

The Leader of Opposition shall represent the interests of the Opposition and provide an alternative policy agenda and constructive criticism of government policies; promote transparency, accountability and good governance in

public affairs; foster cooperation and constructive engagement between the government and opposition in the pursuit of national interests.

"The office holder will also participate in state ceremonial functions and international parliamentary events on behalf of the Opposition and promote public awareness and understanding of the role of opposition in a democratic state," the committee said in its report.

"The benefits and emoluments of the Leader of the Opposition shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund and the operations and administration of the office shall be prescribed in an Act of Parliament."

The report was signed by NADCO co-chairs Kalonzo Musyoka of the Azimio Coalition and Kimani Ichung'wah of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.