Allies of President William Ruto have revived the debate on the creation of the position of Prime Minister as they look for ways to keep the former Premier Raila Odinga in their camp ahead of the 2027 General Election.

But  push for constitutional amendments to create the Premier’s position met resistance from a section of Kenyans and some allies of Raila, who threatened to move to court to block any attempts to expand the current government that is already bloated.

Worried that Raila, whom the President Ruto had unsuccessfully pushed and campaigned for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) could either  join the opposition or announce his bid for the presidency in the coming general election, Ruto’s allies now want the position created to accommodate him in the Kenya Kwanza government.

 To achieve their goal, the lawmakers are now calling for the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report that proposed constitutional amendments to create the position of Prime Minister.

Raila experience

Led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, MPs Nelson Koech (Belgut) and Eric Wamumbi (Mathira) the lawmakers   argued that Raila’s vast political experience and contributions to Kenya’s democracy should not go to waste.

“We must now fully implement the NADCO report by amending the Constitution to create the office of the Prime Minister and allow Raila to serve Kenyans in that capacity. This is the only way we can appreciate and reward him,” Cherargei said in a statement that is likely to rub the Generation Z, who have previously accused Raila of taking advantage of their demonstrations for reforms to reward his allies with positions in government, the wrong  way.

Bipartisan negotiations

The NADCO report which resulted  from bipartisan negotiations after the contested 2022 elections that saw anti-government protests led by Raila, had  proposed significant legal and governance reforms, including the potential establishment of new executive positions, is currently before parliament.

Among the bills that emanated from the report is the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which sought to introduce new offices such as the Prime Minister and Leader of the Official Opposition, alongside provisions for various government funds, potentially altering Kenya’s governmental structure.

The National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that was considering the said bill has since rejected the proposal by NADCO to create an official position for the Leader of the Opposition, asserting that such a constitutional change would require a referendum.

But yesterday the trio said that Raila should be given the said position as he still has the capability to serve Kenyans.

In a statement posted on his X account formerly twitter, Cherargei called for the full implementation of the NADCO Report through constitutional amendments.

 “We cannot allow such brilliant leadership and experience to go waste the way the Africa Union did it. This is the only way we can appreciate and reward him for his fight for the rule of law and democracy in Kenya,” Cherargei said .

Koech, who chairs the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, has backed Senator  Cherargei’s call to accommodate Raila  within the government structure.

Speaking on a local TV show on the same day, Koech said they will be relooking at the NADCO report to ensure that they accommodate Raila in the Kenya Kwanza government.

Counsel

 “Raila Odinga is coming back home. What would Raila Odinga be doing with his energy, with his wisdom, with his experience? I think we in Kenya Kwanza should accommodate him. That experience, that advice, and the counsel that he would give us would help in bettering our country, our society, and our management,” he said.

And added: “We have to find a structure that will accommodate him – Raila Odinga. Whichever position that accommodates him, we have to find that position. We could relook at the NADCO report. We could even do better by having the office of the Prime Minister.”

 He said that the said office would be distinct from Musalia Mudavadi’s current position as Prime Cabinet Secretary.

 He said: “He’s not a Prime Minister; he’s a Prime Cabinet Secretary. But I am merely expressing a thought.”

Wa Mumbi in a comment posted on his Facebook account said that Raila can make a good prime minister.

He said: “We have all agreed that Raila Odinga is a good Kenyan, all political divide have praised how Raila is good. I saw my village mates say that they wanted Raila to come back home and serve. All right then, I agree with you. Raila can make a very good prime minister.  We then agree and give him a role to serve Kenyans. Case closed.”

Contain Raila

But a section of MPs and analysts have opposed the move saying Kenya Kwanza only wants to contain Raila.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi who is  a close ally of  the Opposition leader  questioned the Kenya Kwanza’s sudden support for a referendum, reminding them of their past opposition to clamour for similar constitutional changes. He argued that any plebiscite should only proceed after a fully constituted electoral body is in place.

“Dear Kenya Kwanza, you now want a referendum to make Raila Odinga an Executive Prime Minister—a process you fiercely opposed during your Tanga Tanga days. Fine, let’s have it, but first, fully constitute a new IEBC and use it to conduct the more than five pending by-elections,” Amisi stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, dismissed the push for a Prime Minister’s position through the implementation of the NADCO report, calling it a deceptive political maneuver designed to keep Raila Odinga preoccupied.

Wamuchomba posted on her X platform: “Kenya Kwanza is preparing for another lie… A Prime Minister through NADCO report implementation—just to keep BABA busy. It’s a long con.”

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai in a tweet posted on his X platform dismissed the suggestions as diminishing Raila’s stature.

He said: “Any arguments for appointing Raila as PM or in such-and-such a position are belittling the stature and role of Raila Odinga in Kenyan society.

 Baba Raila Odinga is NOT hostage to his very stellar contribution to the country. Baba can build Kenya without insulting appointments,” he stated.

Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi also warned that they would be going to court should they proceed with their push to have the constitution amended.

He said: “Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei is the front limbs of an antelope, testing the depth of the pool. Let the antelope be told that any attempt to amend the Constitution to accommodate NADCO will be successfully fought in the streets and in Courts. Let the antelope die of thirst.”

Political analyst Otieno Mak’Oluoch dismissed the proposal, warning against expanding the executive at a time when the country is struggling with ballooning recurrent expenditure and economic hardships.

He said: “At a time when we should be reducing government spending, how does adding more positions help ordinary Kenyans? Raila has made his contributions, and history will remember him as one of Africa’s greatest leaders. That is enough.”

A group calling itself Defenders of Freedom and Fairness (DFF) , on twitter also dismissed the push for a referendum, arguing that it is not driven by the interests of ordinary Kenyans but by political survival and self-preservation.

 The group challenged pro-NADCO lawmakers to publicly explain how the proposed constitutional changes would address pressing national issues such as unemployment, the high cost of living, corruption, and governance failures.

“This sudden urgency comes after their failed attempt to secure the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship and is clearly intended to benefit one individual – Raila Odinga. This is not about the people; it is about political survival and personal interests.”