Azimio Party Leader Raila Odinga has issued a statement after President William Ruto nominated four Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders to the cabinet.
In a statement on July 25, Raila acknowledged the nomination of the four members of his party to the Cabinet.
“I have taken note of President William Ruto’s announcement yesterday regarding the reconstitution of the cabinet to include four members from ODM,” read the statement in part.
Raila maintained that the nominations were not part of any agreement between Ruto, his party or Azimio la Umoja.
“As articulated in our statement on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, neither the ODM Party nor Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party has entered into any coalition agreement with President Ruto’s UDA party.”
Raila Breaks Silence After Ruto Nominates ODM Members
Raila mentioned that the party had anticipated the crafting of clear terns of engagement based on issues we raised in our various communiques.
“While we extend our best wishes to the nominees and trust that they will contribute positively to national development, we continue to advocate for national engagement under the conditions a previously outlined,” he said.
Also Read: Sifuna Reveals How Ruto Shortchanged Raila in Picking ODM Members into Cabinet
Raila stated that despite the nominations, the government must compensate the families of the victims of extra-judicial executions and persons injured by the state since last year.
Furthermore, Raila demanded the release of all persons in custody and termination of all cases related to protests since last year.
Raila also wants the Prosecution of policemen involved in shooting to kill or maim protestors.
Ruto nominated ODM Chairman John Mbadi, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Ali Hassan Joho, and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
John Mbadi was nominated to the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning, and Oparanya was nominated to lead the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development.
James Opiyo Wandayi was named as designated CS in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum while Hassan Joho to the ministry of Mining, Blue economy, Maritime Affairs.
Also Read: Martha Karua Speaks on Fate of Azimio After Raila Joined Ruto’s Government
Sifuna Speaks on the Nomination
Earlier, ODM Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna stated that the nomination of four ODM members to the cabinet was done without the party’s endorsement.
He claimed that the four leaders had direct discussions with President William Ruto to join the cabinet.
Sifuna noted that Raila would not have presented a list of only men, nor would he have chosen Wandayi, which would subject the party to a by-election campaign.
“If Raila was asked to present names of people who are capable of turning around this country and address the issues raised by Gen Z, the Raila that I know would not present four names of all men and two from one region in a party as diverse as ODM. This is not a decision of Raila, it is a decision made between these members and the president himself,” he said.
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