Raila Odinga Distances Self from ODM Cabinet Nominees, Emphasizes Conditions for Engagement
ODM leader Raila Odinga has clarified his position regarding the inclusion of four ODM members in President William Ruto’s newly constituted Cabinet. Speaking on Thursday, Raila distanced himself from the selection process but extended his best wishes to the nominees as they prepare for their new roles.
“I have taken note of President William Ruto’s announcement yesterday regarding the reconstitution of the Cabinet to include four members from ODM,” Raila said.
President Ruto unveiled 10 additional Cabinet nominees on Wednesday, including nominated MP John Mbadi for the National Treasury docket. Other ODM members appointed were deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho, assigned to the Cooperatives and MSME Development and Mining and Blue Economy ministries, respectively. Opiyo Wandayi, the Minority leader in the National Assembly, was given the Energy and Petroleum docket.
In his statement, Raila emphasized that these appointments were not the result of a coalition agreement between ODM and the ruling UDA. He noted that ODM had anticipated clear terms of engagement based on previously outlined issues in various communiqués.
“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 as previously outlined,” Raila stated.
Raila reiterated ODM’s key demands, which include compensating families of victims of extra-judicial killings and those injured by state operatives since last year. He also called for the release of all protesters still in custody and the termination of cases related to protests since last year. Additionally, Raila demanded the prosecution of police officers found culpable of shooting, killing, or injuring protesters.
“These principles shall at all times guide our actions and decisions as we strive for the betterment of our nation. We urge all stakeholders to remain committed to the ideals of unity and progress for the prosperity of all Kenyans,” Raila said.
Shortly before unveiling the new ministerial nominees, President Ruto directed all security agencies to release wrongfully arrested protesters and terminate cases against them.
“I urge the Criminal Justice Agencies to take effective measures and ensure people who may have been innocently caught on the wrong side of things be released and charges dropped,” Ruto said.
Despite this directive, ODM continues to await action on their demand for compensation for affected families and the prosecution of culpable officers.
Following the announcement of the new Cabinet nominees, the National Assembly released a schedule for their vetting. The vetting process will be phased and conducted over four days, from Thursday, August 1, 2024, to Sunday, August 4, 2024, by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments at Parliament’s Mini-Chamber, County Hall, between 8 am and 5 pm. First to face the panel will be Kithure Kindiki, the CS nominee for Interior and National Coordination, on August 1.
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