MPs now want Ruto to take over Premiership
Suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto addresses a rally at Muliro Gardens in Webuye
Two Members of Parliament have called for Parliament's endorsement of suspended Education Minister William Ruto for the post of Prime Minister.
The legislators, Cyrus Jirongo (Lugari) and Julius Kones (Konoin), argue that Raila Odinga no longer has the mandate to hold the position of Prime Minister since he has lost the support of a significant portion of members of Parliament.
The National Accord and Reconciliation Act, which forms the basis of the coalition government, recognizes the leader of the party with a majority in Parliament as the legitimate candidate for the Premiership. Currently Mr. Odinga holds the post owing to ODM's numerical supremacy over PNU in Parliament.
The legislators however called for a repeal of the accord to allow “for a leader with a large following of MPs to assume the position of Prime Minister." The duo spoke duo during a fund raiser in aid of Kimulot Educational Fund in Konoin constituency
Kones said circumstances had changed since the National Accord came into force in 2008 and said most MPs no longer support Mr Odinga.
“Who should be the Prime Minister? Raila with 40 MPs or William Ruto with over 60 MPs,” he asked a crowd in his constituency on Saturday.
The crowd roared back, “Ruto.”
“The spirit of the accord has changed drastically. We call for the repeal of the National Accord and Reconciliation Accord to accommodate these changing circumstances," Kones said.
He added: "Right now a Prime Minister with a minority following in parliament is blackmailing the government.”
Kones supported calls by legislators from PNU to pull out of the coalition government saying they (ODM rebels) would support them in their quest.
“We are ready to form a government of National Unity with the PNU side even if it means repealing the national accord,” he said.
On his side Jirongo said Mr Odinga no longer enjoys his initial following and should not hold the position of Prime Minister.
“You no longer have the following, why should you insist to be the Prime Minister?” he posed.
Jirongo added: “Raila Odinga got the position of Prime Minister because of the strength of ODM at that time. Now he longer has that strength."
