Azimio leader Raila Odinga Wednesday lived up to his name of enigma after he managed to squeeze four Cabinet slots from President William Ruto, a man who defeated him two years ago.
The Azimio leaders revealed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders joined President William Ruto's cabinet as individuals as the coalition had disagreed to engage in dialogue with the President.
Raila firmly placed his foot in the Kenya Kwanza administration, sealing his fourth back-to-back entry into government after losing in presidential elections in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2024.
On the nomination of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members to Ruto's cabinet, Kioni revealed that the coalition had not sanctioned such a move.
This move solidifies his reputation as the ultimate dealmaker and kingmaker.
Azimio regretted Ruto's move remarking that it had destroyed the multiparty system in Kenya and was cannibalism that went against the Kenyan Constitution as well as the recommendations by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
After much anticipation, President Ruto welcomed four senior ODM party officials into his government, handing the coveted National Treasury docket to Raila’s party chairman John Mbadi.
In solidarity with Kenyans who were opposing the new cabinet nominees, the Kalonzo-led team revealed that the country desired genuine reforms and not recycling politicians into top government positions.
Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who had benefited in the Government of National Unity in 2007, was also nominated as Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary. Oparanya is an ODM deputy party leader.
"We will not take part in the proposed broad-based government of national unity as it is a betrayal of Kenyans especially Gen Z and millennials," Kioni gave the coalition's position.
ODM Party Chairman John Mbadi will now shape Kenya’s fiscal policy at the National Treasury and Economic Planning replacing Njuguna Ndung’u, who had a troubled end to his tenure after the 2024 Finance Bill sparked nationwide protests leading to the dissolution of the previous Cabinet, among other changes in government.
The coalition faulted ODM members who accepted nominations to the cabinet remarking that it was a betrayal to 70 Kenyans who lost their lives during the June and July anti-government protests.
Further, the party’s director of political affairs and National Assembly Minority Leader James Opiyo Wandayi, will take charge of the Energy and Petroleum Ministry upon approval. He is expected to tackle the high costs of energy which have played a significant role in the rising cost of living.
"Those members who have accepted the nomination to join Ruto's cabinet are doing so under individual capacity," Azimio stated in the presser.
The appointment of the four senior ODM politicians has occurred despite the Party and its leader Odinga, distancing themselves from any association with President Ruto.
Notably, no member of the ODM attended the presser nor was there any apology issued
In the broad-based government arrangement, Ruto had promised, the president has ceded four cabinet slots to the Opposition in an attempt to win their support and achieve national unity after weeks of anti-government protests.
0 Comments