President Uhuru Kenyatta with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a past event. [Photo/businesstoday.co.ke]
President Uhuru Kenyatta should do all what it takes to win back the trust of 12 million voters who did not turn up on October 26 fresh election.
According to lawyer Kethi Kilonzo, Uhuru should include Opposition leaders led by Raila Odinga into his new administration in order to get the support of NASA supporters who feel excluded and marginalised.
"The Constitution allows the President the latitude to appoint each of the remaining principals of the Opposition party to his Cabinet. The Constitution allows him the latitude to give whatever responsibility to the principals including that of deputy or principal head of government administration at the same rank or below that of the deputy president," she said.
Kethi said although NASA leaders may refuse the offer, going for election losers in Opposition strongholds would backfire miserably.
In an opinion piece published by Sunday Standard, the lawyer noted the practice of appointing 'unelectable' leaders from the Opposition community in a show of national unity has never worked, adding that it won't work for Uhuru.
"The 27 constituencies and 70 per cent of Kenyans will not be swayed by the appointment of politicians who they did not vote for. By offering their preferred leaders an opportunity to take part in the administration of their country, whether or not they accept the offer, will go a long way in starting the healing process the country so desperately needs," Kethi stated.
She added that despite the 'nusu-mkate' rhetoric, the grand coalition government of retired President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga worked.
"It guaranteed a country with national unity between 2008 and August 2017," the lawyer noted.