Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) leader Kalonzo Musyoka is rapidly becoming the new face of the Opposition during President William Ruto’s tenure, following Ruto’s recruitment of members from the Azimio La Umoja coalition into his government.
Kalonzo has resisted Ruto’s calls for a “broad-based government,” arguing that it would legitimize a regime with “blood on its hands.” Former Prime Minister and Azimio leader Raila Odinga recently welcomed the nomination of his coalition members to the Cabinet, including two ODM party leaders.
Kalonzo has also aligned himself with the Gen-Z revolution protests, which are driven by young people demanding accountability in public resource use, good governance, and adherence to the rule of law.
The Ruto administration is currently under heavy criticism for the killing of over 50 young protesters, police abductions of individuals seen as opposing its policies, and suppression of journalism.
Kalonzo has stated that joining the proposed government of national unity would be a betrayal, particularly to Gen-Z and millennials.
We shall not participate in or support the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity. This is a betrayal of the Kenyan people, particularly Gen-Z and millennials, who have paid the ultimate price.
“We reiterate our public position, that when it comes to siding with Gen-Z and the Kenyan people versus the Kenya Kwanza regime, the decision is as obvious as day and night. We will always side and stand with the people of Kenya,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Also defying the trend are former Defence Minister Eugene Wamalwa, Ford Kenya leader Martha Karua, and former governors Mwangi wa Iria (Muranga) and Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia), as well as former Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni. Kalonzo argues that the reorganization of the Cabinet and appointment of new office holders will be merely superficial.
Azimio La Umoja may be effectively disintegrating after President Ruto selected top figures from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party that founded Azimio, for ministerial positions.
Among those nominated are ODM deputy party leaders, former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, and nominated MP John Mbadi, who is the ODM national chairman.
Joho has been nominated as the Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Oparanya for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSME), Mbadi for National Treasury, and Wandayi for the Energy and Petroleum docket.
Opiyo Wandayi has been appointed as the Secretary for Political Affairs. This announcement is part of the second batch of cabinet nominees President Ruto has unveiled, following the release of the first list a week prior.
The President is under significant pressure to assemble a new cabinet after youth protesters demanded the dismissal of his entire cabinet, citing incompetence, arrogance, and poor governance. In response, Ruto has engaged in negotiations with the opposition, inviting them to join him in forming a government of national unity.
However, the opposition has downplayed Ruto’s move and denied any intention of joining the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration. ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna issued a warning on Tuesday, advising members against accepting cabinet positions, which has added to the party’s internal confusion about joining a broad-based government under Ruto.
“Any ODM member who makes themselves available to join the Kenya Kwanza cabinet or any other position should know that they are doing so without the party’s blessing,” Sifuna stated.
Prior to nomination of the four, there were claims that ODM was set to bag three cabinet slots even as Raila maintained that none of the opposition leaders was desperate to join the Kenya Kwanza administration.
On Tuesday the party said that it fully supported the ongoing struggle to address the long standing governance issues being raised by the Gen-Z adding that it will continue to stand with the people and fight for justice and reforms that the nation needs.
Raila could fuel public rage especially among the Gen-Z, his party now appears to be the greatest beneficiary of their protests that has so far killed 50 demonstrators.
And just like Ruto who threw 204 Kenya Kwanza MPs under the bus after voting Yes for the finance bill against the wish of Kenyans only for him to reject it a week after, Odinga has on his part stabbed the backs of influential ODM leaders key among them Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Sifuna who wanted nothing about Azimio members joining the government.
It could be payback time for Raila to his political nemesis, President Ruto who has been vocal in campaigning for him for the position of Africa Union Commission chairmanship.
