Opposition leader Raila Odinga has clarified that neither his ODM party nor the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition has entered into a coalition agreement with President William Ruto's government.
This statement comes despite Ruto nominating four ODM allies to his new Cabinet on Wednesday. Ruto's nominees include ODM Chair and Nominated MP John Mbadi for the Treasury ministry, National Assembly Minority Leader and Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi for the Energy docket, former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho for the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy, and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development.
Odinga emphasized in a statement on Thursday that ongoing discussions have not led to any formal coalition terms.
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"As articulated in our statement on July 23, 2024, neither ODM nor Azimio has entered into any agreement with Ruto's UDA party," he said.
Odinga reiterated the party's commitment to previously outlined conditions, including compensation for victims of state violence, release of detainees, and prosecution of police officers involved in protest-related violence.
Statement from the Party Leader @RailaOdinga on yesterday’s cabinet nominations. pic.twitter.com/LZRpnwdT6x
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) July 25, 2024
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna echoed Odinga’s stance, calling for the resignation of Mbadi, Wandayi, Joho, and Oparanya from the party following their nominations. Sifuna noted that Odinga did not approve these nominations and did not align with the party's principles.
He also mentioned that if Odinga had been consulted, gender equity would have been considered in the nominations.
Sifuna, speaking on Citizen TV's Daybreak Show, stressed that the President did not consult Odinga or ODM in these nominations and urged the nominees to resign before parliamentary vetting. Odinga reaffirmed ODM's commitment to democracy, good governance, and social justice, urging all stakeholders to uphold unity and progress for Kenya's prosperity.
