Odinga Clarifies ODM Stance on Cabinet Appointments, Emphasizes No Coalition with UDA

ODM leader Raila Odinga has clarified his party's position regarding the inclusion of four ODM members in President William Ruto's newly restructured Cabinet.

While extending his best wishes to the nominees, Odinga emphasizes that their appointment is not the result of a formal coalition agreement between ODM and the ruling UDA party. In President Ruto's latest round of ministerial appointments, Nominated MP John Mbadi was tapped for the National Treasury portfolio, while ODM deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho were assigned to the Cooperatives and MSME Development and Mining and Blue Economy ministries, respectively. Opiyo Wandayi, the Minority leader in the National Assembly, was nominated to head the Energy and Petroleum docket.

Odinga highlights that ODM had anticipated more explicit terms of engagement based on previously communicated issues. These include compensation for families affected by extra-judicial killings and individuals injured by state operatives since last year. The party also advocates for the release of protesters still in custody and the dismissal of cases related to recent demonstrations. The ODM leader stresses that these demands align with the core principles of democracy, good governance, and social justice. He calls on all stakeholders to remain committed to national unity and progress for the benefit of all Kenyans.

Despite the inclusion of ODM members in the Cabinet, the party continues to await action on their compensation demands and the prosecution of officers responsible for injuring or killing protesters. The National Assembly has released a vetting schedule for the Cabinet nominees, with the process set to take place over four days at Parliament's Mini-Chamber in County Hall, commencing on August 1, 2024. The Committee on Appointments will scrutinize at least five nominees daily, with Kithure Kindiki, the CS nominee for Interior and National Coordination, slated to be the first to face the panel.

Meanwhile, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been named as the new head of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance. The announcement was made by Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni on Thursday, clarifying that current leader Raila Odinga is occupied with campaigning for the African Union Commission (AUC) chair position.