Creating opposition leader's office is to make Raila productive, legitimate - Gladys Shollei

In Shollei's view, the office will tame the reoccurrence of anti-government protests and formally legitimize Odinga's role of keeping the government in check.

"It's being created because we have found a situation where every time Raila loses the election he goes to the streets, causes mayhem," she said speaking to KTN on Monday.

"So we are saying let's make him productive and legitimate as the leader of opposition, give him something to do that is more useful to Kenyans instead of going to the streets."

She further opined that there is no need to amend the constitution to create the position, as proposed by some leaders,  and instead revise the Political Parties Act as well as the Elections Act to allow the person with the second-largest number of the presidential votes to be nominated to the position.

This comes a day after President William Ruto announced that if the opposition demands it, he is willing to create the position and even fund it.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving service in Bungoma county on Sunday, Ruto asserted that the opposition must operate within the guidelines of the constitution and that he will offer them a hand in discharging their role.

"If they want us to create the office of the leader of opposition I am ready to fund with the government of Kenya. He (Raila Odinga) will be releasing statements from morning till evening on where the government is lacking. I have no problem," he said.

The creation of the position is also a matter for debate in the bipartisan talks between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalition as they seek to mend their political differences.

Kenya Kwanza wants the talks to address the establishment of the opposition leader's official office, a matter that has not been endorsed by Azimio.

Azimio has instead maintained their interest is on the high cost of living, the review of the 2022 General Election, the bipartisan reorganisation of Kenya's electoral commission (IEBC), respect for political parties in accordance and inclusivity in governmental affairs.