By Sarah Achen Kibisi
Buyaga West County MP, Hon. Denis Namara has rejected reports making rounds on social media that he had decided to withdraw the contentious Opposition Leader Bill.
“The Bill is on course, why would I withdraw it yet its drafting is complete and lawmakers are waiting for a certificate of financial implication from the Finance Ministry,” he added.
In an interview yesterday at parliament, Namara rubbished the claims saying that it’s not true that he has withdrawn the bill.
He warned those spreading the rumour that they he is still holding on it as he waits for the Speaker to accord him the opportunity to table it on the floor for the First Reading.
Namara warned those spreading the rumour saying that the bill is expected to be tabled for its first reading once Parliament resumes from recess and the Speaker allocates it space on the Order Paper.
He revealed that consultations and benchmarking for the proposed legislation were conducted in Kenya and Tanzania, with lessons from the two countries expected to inform the final bill.
Namara has urged the public to disregard reports circulating on social media, saying the legislative process is still ongoing.
On July 8, this year, Parliament granted Buyaga West County MP Hon. Dennis Namara leave to introduce the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Bill seeks to replace the current system where the largest opposition party designates the Leader of the Opposition (LoP). Instead, all opposition and independent opposition MPs would elect the LoP through an electoral college.
It also introduces explicit grounds and a vote of no confidence mechanism for removing the LoP from office. It will require opposition MPs to approve members of the Shadow Cabinet. Mandates broader consultations when assigning opposition representatives to key parliamentary leadership posts.
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