Revealed: Raila Assigned Five Ministries but Insists that Kalonzo, Karua, and Kioni Must Agree First
Details about the ministries President William Ruto has allocated to ODM leader Raila Odinga in his cabinet have emerged, amid a dispute within the opposition regarding his closeness to the Kenya Kwanza government.
It has been revealed that the situation in Mr. Odinga’s camp caused the delay in appointing his allies to the cabinet when President Ruto filled 11 positions on Friday.
President Ruto has offered the opposition leader at least five positions in the Cabinet, expecting to have individuals who will help him bring about change in the country.
The ministries allocated to Mr. Odinga but not yet filled include the National Treasury and Planning, Public Service, Mining and Maritime Economy, Maritime Affairs, and the East African Community and Regional Development.
“Ruto is offering these ministries, but Raila insists he should not take them unless Kalonzo (Musyoka), (Martha) Karua, and (Jeremiah) Kioni agree,” a close associate of Mr. Odinga said.
“We must speak the truth. The Treasury Ministry concerns all ministries and has a representative on every board. The Maritime Economy is the backbone of ODM counties from the Coast to Busia to Turkana to Nyanza. What do we want?”
But as Odinga tussles with his allies in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who chairs the coalition council, Mr. Musyoka’s faction has distanced itself from the ODM leader’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration, insisting that any affiliate party that agrees will do so individually and not as Azimio.
“We will not participate or support the proposals for a national unity government led by Kenya Kwanza. This is a betrayal of the Kenyan people, especially Gen Z and millennials, who have died to free this country from the misrule of Kenya Kwanza, oppressive taxes, corruption, tribalism, unemployment, and the high cost of living,” Mr. Musyoka said in a statement to the press on Friday.
“We will not join because such actions are a betrayal of the principles and values of our coalition party and our parties. As long as the Kenya Kwanza administration exists, nothing will change. The reorganization of the Cabinet is just a facade.”
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna criticized the reappointment of six ministers to the Cabinet, adding confusion to Mr. Odinga’s efforts to cooperate with the government.
The six former ministers are Prof Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Aden Duale (Defense), Alice Wahome (Lands), Soipan Tuya (Environment), and David Chirchir (Roads), with former Trade Minister Rebecca Miano named as Attorney General.
“It is very disappointing. It will be difficult, for instance, to have genuine discussions about reforms and accountability in the security sector with people like Duale and Kindiki in the Cabinet. The two are part of the problem,” Mr. Sifuna told journalists
Mr. Odinga is reportedly in a dilemma about whether to submit his list to the President amid strong tensions over the return of these former ministers.
A close ally told Taifa Jumapili that there have been several attempts, including from his brother Dr. Oburu Oginga, to accept Dr. Ruto’s offer.
“But as of this evening (Saturday), he (Mr. Odinga) was still communicating with Kalonzo,” he said.
