On Monday, key allies of Opposition Chief Raila Odinga missed a crucial meeting convened by President William Ruto at State House Nairobi, raising concerns that some MPs might be quietly opposed to the truce.
What was intended to be a meeting between the President and Nairobi opposition lawmakers nearly fell through after only three out of the 19 elected ODM MPs attended. This absence, following Ruto’s recent inclusion of Raila’s allies into his government, suggests possible discontent among some insiders.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who confirmed he received an invitation, criticized it as disrespectful. “First of all, the President has no powers to convene members of ODM. Secondly, as a legislator, I find it repugnant to the doctrine of separation of powers for a President to summon us to State House,” Sifuna told the Star. “I found the invitation extremely disrespectful and ill-motivated to perpetuate nefarious political ends.”
President Ruto had appointed five ODM politicians to his government as part of a broader effort to stabilize the country following weeks of youth protests. These appointees include John Mbadi (National Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Hassan Joho (Blue Economy and Mining), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives), and Beatrice Askul (East African Community).
The three MPs who attended the meeting were George Aladwa (Makadara), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), and Esther Passaris (Nairobi MP). The remaining 15, despite being invited, did not attend. Langata MP Felix Oduor, who joined the President for an inspection of affordable housing in his constituency, was also absent from the State House meeting.
The plan included having the ODM MPs join the President for an inspection tour of 4,054 affordable housing units in Kibra, followed by hosting the ODM leaders at State House. Aladwa was responsible for organizing the Monday meeting and extended the invitation to all 19 of his colleagues.
“Good morning ****, I hope you have woken up well by the grace of God. Amen. I apologize for the short notice, but the President has requested that we accompany him to Highrise Ward, Langata constituency in Nairobi at 11 am,” read part of the invitation letter sent by Aladwa to the legislators on Monday morning. “After the housing tour, we, as ODM Party Nairobi County members of Parliament, will have a meeting with His Excellency today, Monday, September 9, 2024, at State House. Thank you and be blessed.”
The decision to skip the State House meeting comes less than a month after Ruto established a broad-based government.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino told the Star by phone that he chose to stay with the people. “You can’t be on both sides,” Babu said. “At the moment, I am with the people. Until such a time when Ruto starts working for the people, I can’t sit with him at the same table. If he is not working for the people, then there is nothing I can discuss with him.”
Mathare MP Antony Oluoch explained his absence by saying he was upcountry. “I am just from home; I was not around,” Oluoch said.
Since the public announcement of the political deal with Ruto, some of Raila’s allies have been divided over whether to embrace the new alliance or remain in the opposition. Owino is among those who have stated their intention to stay in opposition to oversee the government.
Raila is set to chair the ODM Central Management Committee meeting on Wednesday, where these issues may be discussed. Some sources suggest that the meeting could lead to the formation of a caretaker team to manage the party in Raila’s absence, as he focuses on his bid for the Africa Union Commission chairmanship. However, the Star could not independently confirm these details.
Raila announced last month that he is stepping away from local politics to concentrate on his AUC bid, sparking a debate over succession within Azimio and its largest member party, ODM.
Insiders within ODM believe that the party needs a seasoned leader to guide it through the transition during Raila’s absence. Many suggest that the three current deputies should unite behind a central figure who can provide clear direction to the party.
Potential replacements for Raila include Governors James Orengo (Siaya) and Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), as well as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi expressed support for Sifuna as Raila’s successor, proposing that Orengo should chair a supreme council of elders to serve in an advisory capacity to the party. “The ODM party is ripe for youthful blood. The rejuvenation of Africa’s biggest democratic party lies in the freshness, energy, charisma, enthusiasm, and dedication of its youthful supporters,” Amisi said.
Despite the speculation, ODM has dismissed reports suggesting that Raila is preparing to step down to focus on his Africa Union Commission bid in the near future.
