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President William Ruto has maintained that he has no problem with members of the opposition.

Speaking during the launch of Bungoma County Aggregation and Industrial Park held at Singalo on Monday, August 28, 2023, the President affirmed that the opposition which is led by Raila Odinga had every right to discharge its oversight role on his administration.

He equally noted that he had instructed his cabinet to effectively attend summons in parliament to enhance accountability.

“Sisi wote tuko na majukumu ya kikatiba and I have no issue with our friends in the opposition they are discharging a constitutional responsibility of oversight and we have even made things easier for them. I have given instructions that members of my cabinet should go to parliament and answer questions from the people’s representatives in parliament cause we believe in an accountable government,” Ruto said.

The president also expressed his commitment to creating the office of the opposition leader and effectively equipping it with resources so as to enhance their oversight role.

“Vile vile nimesema hata kama wanahitaji ofisi kubwa ya kiongozi wa upinzani, mimi niko tayari tuwe na ofisi kubwa ya upinzani, tueke pesa ya serikali awe na ofisi kubwa tumtengezee ofisi kubwa awe anasema asubuhi serikali imekosa hapa, jioni serikali imekosa hapa so that we can all have a responsible government,” he added.

This loosely translates to:

“I have also said that even if they need a bigger office of the leader of the opposition, I am ready to create the office of the leader of the opposition that will be fully funded by the government so that they may be able to properly execute their mandate of oversight,”

Ruto, however, cautioned the opposition against resorting to violence to conduct its oversight role on the government.

He termed the acts as unconstitutional and unpatriotic as he urged all leaders to refrain from taking part in such activity.

“What we cannot accept because it is unconstitutional undemocratic, unpatriotic and against the rule of law is violence in our politics,” Ruto said.

“Organizing violence to destroy peoples’ property, organizing violence to destroy public property including burning roads and burning public infrastructure is undemocratic, is unpatriotic, it is against the rule of law, it is unconstitutional and it should not happen in the Kenya of 21st century,” Ruto added.