Yesterday, Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) reversed its earlier stance on joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet, warning its members against doing so, and emphasizing that those who choose to join the Cabinet should do so as individuals, not representing the party.
This reversal appears to be a response to public pressure, which had not taken well to Raila’s initial decision to engage with President Ruto’s government.
ODM dismissed accusations of inconsistency as false and reiterated that the party is not involved in negotiating any coalition or political arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza government. Instead, ODM is focused on national discussions aimed at improving Kenya.
Speculation is rife that President Ruto may announce the remaining half of his Cabinet today, following the naming of the first 11 members last Friday. It is speculated that ODM members such as Deputy Party Leaders and former governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Hassan Ali Joho (Mombasa), along with party national chairman and nominated MP John Mbadi, might be included in the Cabinet.
Raila’s shift aligns with the position of other Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance affiliates, who have strongly opposed the idea of joining Ruto’s government, arguing that it would serve to “sanitize” the President’s administration.
Meanwhile, Wiper Democratic Party leaders reaffirmed their rejection of a national unity government, despite calls for a broad-based government including opposition figures. Wiper MPs distanced themselves from ODM’s previous decision to allow its members to join the Cabinet.
In a statement, ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna clarified that the party is not negotiating any coalition or political arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza government.
He emphasized that ODM members joining the Cabinet do so without the party’s endorsement and stated that the party cannot remain passive while the nation’s future is at stake.
Sifuna emphasized that the way forward is through a genuine, inclusive National Conversation, a position firmly articulated by Raila Odinga on July 9, following the Presidential assent to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Amendment Bill, 2024 at KICC.
“Our commitment to this cause is unwavering, recognizing the urgent need for transformative change in our nation. As a major political player, ODM has repeatedly stressed that we cannot simply stand by while the nation’s current and future situations are at stake,” said Sifuna.
Yesterday, Sifuna reaffirmed that ODM’s core demands include compensation for families of victims of extrajudicial executions and those injured by the state since last year, the release of all individuals in custody, and the dismissal of all cases related to protests from the past year. Additionally, ODM calls for the prosecution of police officers involved in shooting protestors and the removal of Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei.
Sifuna noted that there has been a narrative suggesting ODM is eager to join the government, while in reality, the party seeks a national conversation supported by the implementation of the aforementioned conditions.
He expressed regret that some party members have misinterpreted ODM’s position as a willingness to engage with the Kenya Kwanza leadership and seek ministerial or other positions in Ruto’s government.
“The ODM party remains dedicated to its principles and the ongoing struggle for a better Kenya. We will continue to stand with the people and advocate for the justice and reforms our nation desperately needs,” Sifuna stated.
He also clarified that ODM has not altered its stance on addressing longstanding governance issues as highlighted by Gen Z. “We are concerned about attempts to misrepresent our position on the national dialogue to resolve the crisis. Accusations of the party flip-flopping on the matter are entirely false,” Sifuna said.
However, tensions surfaced following Sifuna’s statement, with MP Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) taking a firm stance. “This is not what ODM resolved in the last meeting. Please communicate the true party position or face immediate dismissal,” Kaluma asserted.
On the floor of the National Assembly, Kaluma argued that all Kenyans should be included in the governance process and urged Raila to submit the names of the other nominees for vetting and approval immediately.
In a veiled attack apparently targeting Sifuna, Kaluma warned some unnamed individuals in ODM allegedly signalling conflicting positions, saying they should remember they are holding their positions on an interim basis and can be removed.
“As a person from an ethnic community, I will not agree to a position where people are saying everybody is in government, except Luos. Luos also pay taxes. I want President Ruto to nominate to the Cabinet names of the people that Raila was to send to him. Everybody must be included in the government,” Kaluma told a bemused House.
But Caleb Amisi (Saboti) differed with him.Amisi claiming that Raila has had selfish individuals surrounding him with every big wig around him scrambling to join the Cabinet.
“Raila has had selfish individuals around him. Every big wig around Baba is scrambling to join the cabinet. They do not even care whether Raila gets AU, or whether he goes home as long as they join the cabinet. Some are even calling President Ruto directly. I think we were never on the same journey. I am disappointed,” charged Amisi on his X account.
Senator Dan Maanzo, an ally of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka asserted that Azimio La Umoja will remain intact despite the calls by some individuals to close ranks with the government saying individual decisions will not sway the political outfit.
“Those who want to join the Cabinet are free to do so, those who want to be appointed should go ahea and they will be vetted,” he said.
