State House Clarifies Reports of ODM MPs Snubbing Ruto Meeting

Statehouse Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed has refuted reports that members of parliament affiliated to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga skipped President William Ruto’s meeting.

Addressing the reports, Hussein said that President William Ruto held an informal meeting with MPs after his tour of Kibera where he inspected an affordable housing project.

He, however, refuted reports that the meeting was organized and that some members declined the invitation to meet him.

“On Monday, 9th September 2024, President William Ruto inspected the progress of the 4,054-unit Kibera Soweto East Zone B Affordable Housing Project in Nairobi County. After the event, the MPs in attendance accompanied the President to State House for an informal lunch. Contrary to the claims, there was no formal meeting as suggested,” read part of the statement.

The spokesperson added that, “State House communicates or invites MPs or any other individuals or groups through official channels only.”

Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and opposition leaders decided to work together after the Gen-Z protests that saw Raila-affiliated politicians appointed to the cabinet. However, ODM leaders have insisted that even though some of its members are now working with the government, ODM is still a staunch opposition party in the country.

State House Clarifies ODM MPs Snubbing Ruto Meeting — ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga. Photo/ PCS

ODM Collaboration with Ruto Government

In August 2024, Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga emphasized that “ODM members joined the government as individuals and not as representatives of the party”.

Also Read: Babu Owino Issues Demand to ODM Leadership Over Raila Succession

President William Ruto reshuffled his cabinet in August 2024 to include prominent ODM Party leaders. Ali Hassan Joho was appointed to the Ministry of Mining and the Blue Economy, Opiyo Wandayi to Energy, John Mbadi to Treasury, and Wycliffe Oparanya to Cooperatives and MSMEs docket.

The government and opposition have had a newfound relationship that started with the new cabinet appointments. Ruto has also recently toured Homa Bay County and other counties in Nyanza region as a show of how his administration is working with various leaders for the betterment of Kenya’s society.

Kenyans from various sections of the society, including Gen-Z, criticized Ruto for recycling politicians in his cabinet. They emphasized that Kenya has many qualified personalities that can still get the job done.

Also read: Unpacking Ruto – Raila Alliance and What it Means for 2027 General Elections

Ruto has also backed Raila’s bid for the AUC chairmanship position, launching his campaign for the position at State House on August 27. Various African presidents attended the launch, including Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.