Agriculture minister William Ruto has differed with his party leader over the need for an official opposition.

Mr Ruto said an official opposition was important if the Government was keen on upholding democracy.

"If we are not checked, we would end up not delivering on the promises we have made to Kenyans," he said.

He promised to issue a detailed report on the matter at a later date.

Major parties

He was speaking at a news conference during which he revoked licenses of 16 sugar exporters.

In recent weeks, there has been debate on whether an opposition is needed since the three major political parties were in Government.

Last weekend, ODM leader Raila Odinga criticised those calling for an official opposition. He said ODM was likely to lose its majority in Parliament.

However, MPs on the backbench, led by Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo and Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba, have insisted that an opposition was important.

A Bill seeking to legalise the formation of an official opposition has already been tabled in Parliament.

Broke ranks

Assistant minister Danson Mungatana Wednesday broke ranks with his Party of National Unity colleagues by supporting the formation of an official opposition to check the grand coalition Government.

"I'm surprised that Mr Odinga is having a problem with the formation of an opposition since this should not in any way threaten him or the existing status quo," Mr Mungatana said.

Roads minister Kipkalya Kones Wednesday said MPs trying to form an opposition were unrealistic since, as back- benchers, they were automatically playing the same role.