While he has expressed his best wishes to the nominees, he clarified that their appointment was not part of any coalition agreement between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). This development has led to a mix of reactions and some confusion within the political landscape.
On Wednesday, President Ruto announced the appointment of ten new Cabinet members, which included four individuals from ODM. Among them were John Mbadi, who was nominated for the National Treasury, Wycliffe Oparanya for the Cooperatives and MSME Development, Hassan Joho for the Mining and Blue Economy, and Opiyo Wandayi for the Energy and Petroleum docket.
These appointments have sparked discussions and speculations about the nature of the relationship between ODM and UDA.
In his statement on Thursday, Raila emphasized that the inclusion of ODM members in the Cabinet was not due to any formal agreement between the two parties.
He stated that ODM had been expecting clear terms of engagement based on issues they had previously outlined in various communications.
These issues include compensation for families of victims of extrajudicial killings, the release of protesters still in custody, and the prosecution of police officers responsible for injuring or killing protesters.
Raila reiterated that ODM's principles of democracy, good governance, and social justice guide their actions and decisions.
He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to these ideals for the prosperity of all Kenyans. Despite the Cabinet appointments, Raila highlighted that ODM still expects action on their demands, such as the compensation of victims' families and the prosecution of culpable officers.
Shortly before unveiling the new Cabinet nominees, President Ruto issued a directive to security agencies to release wrongfully arrested protesters and terminate the cases against them.
He urged the Criminal Justice Agencies to ensure that innocent individuals caught up in the protests are released, and charges against them dropped. This directive aligns with one of ODM's key demands, but the party still awaits action on other issues they have raised.
Following the announcement of the new Cabinet nominees, the National Assembly released a schedule for their vetting. The vetting process will be conducted by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments at Parliament’s Mini-Chamber, County Hall.
The vetting will take place over four days, starting from Thursday, August 1, 2024, to Sunday, August 4, 2024. Each day, at least five nominees will face the vetting panel.
The first nominee to be vetted will be Kithure Kindiki, the nominee for the Interior and National Coordination docket, on August 1.
This vetting process is a crucial step in confirming the appointments and ensuring that the nominees meet the required standards and qualifications for their respective roles.
The inclusion of ODM members in the Cabinet has led to various reactions from political analysts, party members, and the public.
Some see it as a strategic move by President Ruto to create a more inclusive government and foster unity among different political factions.
Others view it with skepticism, questioning the motives behind the appointments and the potential implications for ODM’s independence and political strategy.
Raila’s statement highlights ODM’s cautious approach to the new Cabinet appointments. While they welcome the inclusion of their members in key government positions, they remain firm on their demands for justice and good governance.
The party’s stance indicates that they will continue to push for the fulfillment of their outlined conditions and monitor the actions of the government closely.
Both Raila and President Ruto have emphasized the importance of national unity and progress. Raila urged all stakeholders to commit to the ideals of unity and progress for the benefit of all Kenyans.
Similarly, President Ruto’s directive to release wrongfully arrested protesters and drop charges against them is seen as a step towards addressing some of the grievances raised by ODM and fostering a more inclusive political environment.
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