Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, April 6, renewed calls to ensure that disloyal Members of Parliament (MPs) are disciplined within the Law.
Addressing Azimio la Umoja Parliamentary Group Meeting in Machakos County, Raila lamented that some elected were rogue and needed to be tamed.
According to Raila, the MPs blatantly disobeyed the directives of the parties that sponsored them to Parliament.
"Review and recommend changes in the law that will entrench party discipline and fidelity by requiring MPs who cross party lines after elections to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate," Raila stated.
Raila argued that the law should be changed to allow political parties to discipline and punish rebels who support other outfits.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader held that the Constitution should grant him powers to replace nominated MPs who crossed party lines.
"Initiate legislation to address the electoral, governance and economic gaps identified during the inquiry for consideration by the Houses as appropriate," Raila stated.
On February 7, 2023, President William Ruto met a section of ODM Party Legislators for talks at State House, in Nairobi.
Among the MPs that Ruto met included Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent) Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.
"Leaders must join hands, foster coexistence and work together in confronting the challenges facing our country. They must endeavour to lead by example and serve the interest of the people. This is a sure route to a more united and developed Kenya," Ruto stated in a statement.
The former Prime Minister also made other recommendations for constitutional change, including plans to fix winner takes it all system.
Raila told Azimio PG that they were demanding a review of what is largely of known as the 'Winner-Takes-It-All' approach.
Even though Raila did not expressly demand the return of Building Bridges Initiatives (BBI), he was clear that Azimio was looking at the possibility of reviewing the Constitution.
"We are driven by the concern that despite the 2010 Constitution, our political culture retains a winner takes all system.
"This is what has clearly been demonstrated by the Ruto regime. This monopoly of power by hook or crook by the party in the State House can only be rectified by a legislative process involving all Kenyans," Raila noted.
He further claimed that President William Ruto's government was acting erratically due to the powers that it holds.
"We need a proper constitutional review to cure the governance defect in the 2010 Constitution and remove any form of an imperial Presidency.
"In our dialogue with Kenya Kwanza, we will be putting this matter on the table," Raila declared.
