ODM Releases Top Officials to Serve in Ruto’s Cabinet, Affirms Commitment to Azimio Coalition as doubts abound on true loyalty
Nairobi, Kenya (TheDispatch.Digital) – ODM has formally released its top officials, nominated by President William Ruto to serve in his Cabinet, the party announced. In a brief press conference at the party headquarters, Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna confirmed he had received the resignations of the five nominated officials and that the party had agreed to release them to serve in President Ruto’s administration.
The leaders released are Deputy Party Leaders Ali Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, Party Chairman John Mbadi, Political Secretary and Minority Leader James Opiyo Wandayi, and Member of the ODM Elections Board Beatrice Askul Moe. The party posted on X, “The party has released the four CS nominees in good faith to go and serve the nation. However, this doesn’t mean that ODM has joined the Kenya Kwanza government. No, we firmly remain in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition.”
To fill the gap left in the party by the released leaders, ODM “recommended” to Azimio that the Minority Leader becomes Suna East MP Junet Sheikh Mohammed; Minority Whip becomes Suiba North MP Millie Odhiambo Mabona; and Chairman of the Powerful Public Accounts Committee becomes Saboti MP Cale Amisi.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, who had publicly opposed the nomination of his party colleagues to the William Ruto Cabinet, attended the meeting that released the members to take up their Cabinet positions. Orengo did not issue a statement explaining his presence, but observers noted that his public opposition was likely a strategic move to manage public perception and contain claims of betrayal. Reports from last week indicated that party leader Raila Odinga chaired a meeting where it was decided to take opposing views and deny any agreement between ODM and UDA while still sending members to work in the government.
“The allusion to a coalition agreement is simply an excuse to keep the minority position in Parliament and not appear to have endorsed the coalition, thereby betraying the Gen Z revolution,” said ODM supporter Mathews Omondi. “We are in government and we shall face any Gen Z protests with full force. Ruto is the President and he’s a good man.”
Orengo later accompanied Odinga to a meeting with Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka at his SKM Command Centre, after which they posed for a picture. The meeting was also attended by PNU Leader Peter Munya, KANU leader Gi9deon Moi and Jubilee Leader Jeremiah Kioni. On his X account, Odinga indicated that he was pursuing a national conversation when he visited Kalonzo, but Kalonzo later tweeted “No National Conversation,” implying a rejection of Odinga’s proposals.
Within the Azimio coalition, there is a growing sentiment that the senior partner, Odinga and ODM, have betrayed the coalition by secretly agreeing to work with Ruto while misleading other members and the public about their commitment to good governance. Concerns are mounting that corruption will worsen in this informal coalition as both parties rush to “eat” while accountability is neglected. One contentious issue is a potential deal with the Adani Group, an Indian company, to take over the management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The deal, defended by President Ruto, has faced significant criticism and suspicion over its potential disadvantages to the country.