Parties affiliated with the Azimio La Umoja opposition coalition are pushing to remove the ODM Party from the coalition after members were nominated to President Ruto's government.
PNU, Jubilee, and DAP-K, represented by leaders Peter Munya, Eugene Wamalwa, and Jeremiah Kioni, have called for an urgent coalition meeting within 14 days, chaired by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, to discuss the coalition's future and explore restructuring options to oversee the Kenya Kwanza administration better.
The leaders accuse ODM of double standards, arguing that its actions contradict the principles of opposition politics and the spirit of the 2010 constitution. They demand that ODM clarify whether it intends to remain in the opposition or join the government, emphasizing that the current situation is untenable.
Peter Munya stated, "We need a formal meeting to resolve this issue so everyone knows the coalition's direction. Those who want to join the government should do so formally. This is the restructuring we are advocating for." Munya and his colleagues insist that the meeting must occur within the next 14 days to address the coalition's direction and leadership.
Did you read this?
Eugene Wamalwa highlighted that Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission Chairmanship necessitates a review of the coalition's leadership.
The call for ODM's removal follows President William Ruto's nomination of four ODM leaders for cabinet positions, including John Mbadi (Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs Development). President Ruto defended his decision, stating that including opposition leaders fosters greater inclusivity in his government.
If ODM fails to declare its stance, the parties are prepared to leave the coalition and start anew. This restructuring aims to strengthen the coalition's oversight of the Kenya Kwanza administration and ensure clarity in its direction.
