Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga recently provided insight into his conversations with President William Ruto regarding the nomination of leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to the Cabinet.
Speaking in Siaya County, Raila shared that he had a significant discussion with President Ruto after the Cabinet was dissolved.
During their conversation, Raila advised the President to appoint new Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) of his own choosing.
This advice came with the condition that the opposition would only propose names after a national dialogue had been conducted and a mutual agreement reached.
Raila revealed that President Ruto was in a hurry to fill the vacant CS positions and could not wait for the national dialogue process.
"I told Ruto that since he had dismissed his Cabinet, he needed to appoint his own people first. We, in the opposition, would then submit our recommendations after we have had the national dialogue," Raila stated.
However, President Ruto replied that the positions could not stay vacant for an extended period, so he would proceed with his nominations and discuss with the opposition later.
Following this, President Ruto nominated several members from ODM to the Cabinet. Raila cautioned that if these ODM nominees did not perform well, the opposition should not be blamed.
"Afterwards, he picked some of our people from ODM. I told him not to say that we gave him the names if they fail to deliver. We have released them. We do not have a coalition agreement with the government," Raila emphasized.
Raila also had a message for the ODM leaders who were nominated to the Cabinet. He urged them to serve Kenyans diligently and uphold the principles of the ODM party.
Despite these nominations, Raila reiterated that ODM remains in opposition. He laid out four key demands for the government before any national dialogue can proceed.
Firstly, Raila demanded that the government compensate the families of those who were killed during the protests in 2023 and 2024.
Secondly, he insisted that the government should cover the medical expenses of those injured in the protests. Thirdly, he called for the release of those who had been arrested during the protests.
Finally, Raila demanded that the government withdraw the charges against those individuals who were prosecuted for participating in the protests.
In the broader political landscape, these discussions and demands highlight the ongoing tensions and negotiations between the government and the opposition in Kenya.
The need for a national dialogue is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the political and social issues facing the country.
Meanwhile, President Ruto was recently seen acknowledging greetings from residents at the Changamwe Roundabout and Mombasa Town in Mombasa County on July 25.
This public appearance is part of his ongoing efforts to engage with citizens and maintain a visible presence across the country.
In other news, Kenyan police officers stationed in Haiti have reported progress in reducing gang violence in Port-au-Prince, the capital city.
This effort is part of a broader initiative to help restore peace and stability in the region. The presence of Kenyan police in Haiti shows Kenya's commitment to international peacekeeping and security efforts.
Additionally, the historic town of Gedi in Kenya has been listed as a World Heritage Site. This recognition brings attention to Kenya's rich cultural heritage and the significance of preserving historical sites for future generations.
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