ODM MP Paul Otuoma criticises opposing ‘for the sake of opposing’

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma

BUSIA COUNTY: Funyula legislator Paul Otuoma has castigated a section of the opposition leaders for losing focus of playing their role of checking the Jubilee government.

Dr Otuoma said time has come for the opposition to centre their attention on issues that will bring development to the people and not seek cheap publicity by opposing ‘for the sake of opposing’ everything that the government does.

Otuoma who defied the calls from a section of CORD leaders to boycott last week’s special assembly session convened at the request of the President said those who were asking the opposition to boycott the session were ill advised.

“The best they should do if they are opposed to the President personal problem is to keep quiet or pray for him instead of trying to politicize problem,” said Otuoma.

He added: “Currently Mr Uhuru is our President whether we like it or not. We all pay taxes and therefore we cannot boycott meetings meant to discuss issues that affect our people”.

The MP who made the remarks at the weekend when he visited secondary schools in his constituency to wish this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations candidates success said that the opposition was part and parcel of the country’s governance and he was right to attend the special session.

He noted that the current democratic space that is being enjoyed by Kenyans does not impede leaders regardless of their party affiliations to work together for the general good of the nation.

Otuoma said such close working relationship should not be construed as undermining the Political parties that sponsored them.

“We should not look at each other as people who are compromised just because one has been seen talking with President Uhuru or his Deputy William Ruto or Raila(former Prime Minister). We are all Kenyans and we must engage each other without compromising the principal for which we stand,” said Otuoma

The Funyula lawmaker maintained that he was a full ODM founder member who acknowledges and respects Mr Odinga but that does not mean that mean he has forfeited his ability to decide what is good for his people.

“I have the capacity to make decisions that are good for my party and my people. It is good that we start consulting and moving forward positively. Do not just criticize everything for the sake of criticizing,” said Otuoma