Cracks in ODM as members differ over broad-based gov’t formation

Members of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have differed over the agreement to join the government following Gen Z protests that pushed president William Ruto to withdraw the finance bill 2024 and dissolving his maiden cabinet.

Reports indicate that ODM boss Raila Odinga had inked a deal with president Ruto to give him four cabinet slots as well as Attorney General position.

On Tuesday Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma urged president Ruto to name the remaining cabinet nominees.

Kaluma said: “I want to congratulate the president for the appointments but request the president that within a week, as soon as tomorrow [Wednesday]. We want to see those other appointments Baba (Raila Odinga) was to forward to him.”

Sources suggests that Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, formers Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and ODM chairman John Mbadi are among the names Raila has forwarded for appointment.

Also read: Series of scandals and scams that lead to anti-finance bill protests

However, ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna seem to be reading a different script as he refute claims that ODM is in negotiation to join Kenya Kwanza government.

Sifuna said: Any ODM member who make themselves available to join the Kenya Kwanza government or any other position should know that they do so without the blessings of the party.”

It remains unclear which way ODM will take even as Peter Kaluma warns Sifuna against contradicting what the party had agreed upon.

This comes amid Raila-Ruto political dalliance, which has appeared unstable owing to Raila recent demands before having negotiation with Kenya Kwanza regime. Some of Raila’s demands included that release of Gen Z protesters who are in custody and compensation for those killed by police.

Raila, who has Ruto’s backing for African Union (AU) chairman position walks a tight rope between accepting Ruto’s call to him to join government through cabinet slots and the defiance from his Azimio counterparts.