Raila, Karua Clash as Pressure on Ruto Coalition Mounts

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President William Ruto’s Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria clashed with People’s Liberation Party (PLP) party leader Martha Karua over the broad-based government.

Raila and Karua who were running mates in 2022 elections met during a burial in Tharaka Nithi County.

Raila insisted that the ODM Party is not in government while Karua asked him to make his agreement with Ruto legal as a Coalition to the Registrar of Political Parties.

“We were with Karua in the last election, and we went round the country in search of votes. But some things happened, and we decided to let go of the past because the country must move forward,” Raila said.

Karua said the Constitution provides for a multi-party democracy and a majority and minority side in Parliament.

She explained that the broad-based government goes against this provision of the Constitution.

Additionally, she asked Raila to formalize the arrangement and let the opposition in Parliament conduct its Constitutional rights.

“When you merge as it is happening in the broad-based, you deny people power to question government from a position of strength,” Karua said.

She asked ODM should let the vital Committees sit with parties that are absolutely not in government.

She explained that these moves will allow Parliament and the Opposition to continue having a healthy debate for the country.

“While blessing the broad-based, I still request them to do what the law says. They should enter into political holy matrimony, which is a Coalition registered by the Registrar of Political Parties,” she said.

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Raila Explains ODM’s Position

However, Raila disagreed with her stating that Parliament does not belong to the government or opposition.

According to Raila, the legislature consists of a majority and a minority side who are both oversighting the Executive.

“In Parliament, we are in the opposition, and we oversight the Executive. Both the Majority and Minority side are oversighting the Executive, so we have not joined the executive,” he said.

Karua said she had decided to side with Kenyans and will stand firm against the Kenya Kwanza government.

“I firmly remain with the people, and we must continue questioning government, its police and opposing abductions, executions and grand theft of public fund,” Karua added.

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Kuria Asks to Shun Tribalism

On the other hand, Kuria accused Karua of associating with political leaders who promote tribalism in Kenya.

He criticized her remarks, arguing that even some leaders in the government are championing issues affecting Kenyans.

“Even some of us who are in government we have condemned abductions and corruption. Let us condemn all these things and support everything but let us not return this country to tribal divisions,” he said.

“When I see Karua together with the leaders who are promoting tribalism I am convinced that every sinner has a future.”

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