The opposition appears to be in a state of limbo after four of its members were nominated to President William Ruto’s Cabinet as part of his broad-based government approach.
The second batch of Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominees includes Nominated MP John Mbadi, who is set to take over the Treasury ministry, Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi as the new Energy CS, former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho as the head of the Mining and Blue Economy ministry, and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya as the new Cooperatives and MSMEs Development CS.
This announcement by President Ruto has thrown the opposition into disarray, despite their past statements that they are not desperate to join the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna had warned party members against making themselves available for Cabinet appointments, stating that any ODM member who does so would be doing so without the blessing or support of the party.
Sifuna reiterated that the party was not in any negotiations with the government for any coalition or political arrangement, further adding to the confusion within the opposition’s plans to work with the government.
Last week, several opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition principals, including Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, had stated that they had no plans of joining the government, terming it as a means of betrayal to the Kenyan people.
However, the ODM party had given an indication of its willingness to work with the current administration during the latest Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting, where they endorsed the calls for dialogue to get the country out of the current crisis.
ODM National Chairman Mbadi had also accused their coalition members of being dishonest, instead of finding means to save the country’s future.
Joho had reiterated that the Raila Odinga-led ODM would choose the option that is ideal for the party, stating that they are the bigger party in Azimio and cannot be bullied.
Raila, who initiated the dialogue conversation with the government, also noted that the consequences for President Ruto’s resignation would be dire.