Mathare North Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Oluoch on Tuesday morning accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of hindering parliament's efforts to effectively represent Kenyans.
Speaking on the recent fall out in the IEBC and the results disclosing that during vetting, the current Chairman Wafula Chebukati was ranked last among his fellow candidates, Oluoch stated that Uhuru limits their options when he submits either just one or two names of his nominees to parliament.
According to the lawmaker who was speaking on KTN News, this restricts them from choosing the best-fitted candidate for any position, either in a commission or the Cabinet slots.
[caption caption="File image of Mathare North MP Anthony Oluoch"]
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"It is clear that the government, in this case, President Kenyatta and his deputy (William Ruto) always have the ultimate power on who will make it in an appointment or not.
"In that case, they find out who is the person they can easily manipulate and they present their names to parliament. Thus our role in parliament is so limited that we end us choosing one or the other from the names presented," expressed Mr Oluoch.
The legislator, who is also an advocate of the High Court, further noted that the aftermath of the 'handshake' should ensure that structures of government are reconstituted as well as have power dispersed and finally get back the system of accountability in parliament where Cabinet Secretaries will be appointed from MPs.
Oluoch added: "I have no sympathy for either Chiloba or Chebukati for what is befalling them right now.
"However, I will insist that the problem is not entirely in the commission itself, the problem is also in the constitution we constituted," he asserted.
However, speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, activist and lawyer Okiya Omtatah stated that in the event that the President presents names of his nominees and the MPs find them not suitable for the appointed position, there is provision for them to reject the names and have the president present a new name for vetting.
He also told Kenyans.co.ke that depending on the office a nominee is appointed to, the President is required to present three names to the parliamentary committee.
[caption caption="File image of IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and CEO Ezra Chiloba "]
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