Often the solution to one problem creates another problem. In Kenya, the post-election crisis has been “solved” by the creation of a “Grand Coalition” government in which large numbers of MPs have been appointed as cabinet ministers. The thinking was that, if nearly everyone has a voice in the government, then the reasons for dissatisfaction and violence disappear. However, who gets to be the watchdog to ensure that the government does not abuse its powers, if there is no Opposition?
Towards the end of the last term of parliament, members voted to give themselves enormous bonuses, raising the question of whether they were responsibly stewarding the country’s finances. If there is no dissenting voice, future doubtful decisions may go unnoticed. On the other hand, the last thing that a country needs when recovering from a time of internal conflict is more dissension. Hence the very difficult question of whether there should be an Opposition.
The Daily Nation reports that some backbenchers are seeking to form an official Opposition. However, according to the applicable laws, a political party must have 30 MPs before it can form an official Opposition. The backbenchers argue that if the government can form a grand coalition, so can the opposition. Do they really have the interests of the nation at heart, or is it just sour grapes on their part because they missed out on cabinet positions in the grand coalition government?