Opposition lawmakers allied to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have hit out at a section of Kenyans questioning Raila's dalliance with the ruling Jubilee government.
Raila has been accused of killing the opposition courtesy of his 2018 truce with Uhuru, which has seen him embrace the government.
12 lawmakers hailing from Raila's Luo Nyanza bedrock have bashed those questioning Raila's moves, daring them to take over and fill the vacuum he seems to have left.
Led by Seme MP James Nyikal who leads the Luo caucus, the group noted that its not a must that the region provides the nation with an opposition leader each time.
On his part, Nyando MP Jared Okello said that the region has fully played its role in leading the opposition.
"We have been in the opposition for decades and there is nowhere written that we must be in the opposition. We cannot be doing things the same way every electioneering period and expect different results,” said Okello as quoted by the Nation.
The parliamentarians were speaking during a church service at St Paul's Kanyakwar Catholic Church.
Their remarks were echoed by Muhoroni MP James K'Oyoo who said that its time another group took over, at a time when the opposition seems to be missing in action.
"We can’t live in perpetual isolation. If some people feel the opposition is dead and that Raila has taken their place in government, let them feel free to occupy the vacuum left,” he said.
Other MPs present included Aduma Owuor (Nyakatch), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), Olago Aluoch (Kisumu West) and Millie Odhiambo (Suba North).
The region has spent most of its time in the opposition side since 1966, a position initially held by founding Vice President Jaramogi Oginga, Raila's father.