Inside President Ruto’s Cabinet Offer to Raila Odinga: Controversy and Internal Conflict
Details have surfaced regarding President William Ruto’s offer to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga for a role in his inclusive Cabinet, amid ongoing tensions within the opposition regarding cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Gossipa2z.com has learned that a deadlock in Mr. Odinga’s camp caused delays in appointing his representatives to the partial 11-member Cabinet that President Ruto announced on Friday.
Reliable sources within the government and Mr. Odinga’s circle revealed to Gossipa2z.com that President Ruto has offered at least five Cabinet positions to the opposition leader.
The sources indicated that the offered positions include National Treasury and Planning; Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management; Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs; and East African Community, Arid Region, and Regional Development.
“Ruto is offering these ministries, but Raila insists we should not take them if Kalonzo (Musyoka), (Martha) Karua, and (Jeremiah) Kioni don’t agree,” an insider in Mr. Odinga’s camp told Gossipa2z.com.
He continued: “We have to push back. Finance spans all ministries and has representation on every board. Blue Economy is critical for ODM counties from Coast to Busia to Turkana to Nyanza. What do we want?”
Despite Mr. Odinga’s deliberations with his Azimio la Umoja One Kenya partners, including former president Uhuru Kenyatta who chairs the coalition’s council, Mr. Musyoka’s faction has distanced itself from the ODM leader’s move to cooperate with the Kenya Kwanza administration, asserting that any party doing so acts independently.
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“We will not participate in or support the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led government of national unity. This betrays the Kenyan people, especially Gen Z and millennials, who have sacrificed to rid this country of the disastrous Kenya Kwanza regime, their harsh taxes (Finance Bill 2023/2024), corruption, tribalism, unemployment, and the persistently high cost of living,” said Mr. Musyoka in a press statement on Friday.
“We will not join because such actions betray the ideology, values, and tenets of both our coalition party and our constituent parties. As long as the Kenya Kwanza regime remains, nothing will change. A Cabinet reorganization and changing officeholders will only be cosmetic,” he added.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna criticized the reinstatement of six Cabinet Secretaries, whom Dr. Ruto had previously dismissed, adding to the confusion surrounding Mr. Odinga’s cooperation with the government.
The six reinstated former CSs are Prof Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Aden Duale (Defence), Alice Wahome (Lands), Soipan Tuya (Environment), and Davis Chirchir (Roads), while former Trade CS Rebecca Miano was named Attorney General.
“It’s a major disappointment. It doesn’t convey the right message regarding public expectations. It would be challenging to have an honest conversation about reforms and accountability in the security sector with the likes of Duale and Kindiki back in the Cabinet. Those two are part of the problem,” Mr. Sifuna told Gossipa2z.com.
The ODM official emphasized that for an honest conversation, “no member of the former cabinet should be reinstated.”
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Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura stated that the President was widely consulting on those picked and the remaining selections.
“The President aims for a Cabinet that reflects Kenya’s diversity and meets constitutional requirements, such as regional balance, inclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities. He seeks a broad-based government despite political opinions. The opposition is also holding its consultations as part of the national dialogue to form an all-inclusive government,” said Mr. Mwaura.
The President has considered those ministers with the necessary capacity and experience for institutional memory and effective public service delivery. There is a need to ensure the continuity of the bottom-up economic transformation plan while also introducing new faces, as Kenyans have demanded.
Mr. Odinga is reportedly conflicted about presenting his list of nominees to the President amid rising tensions over the reinstatement of the former CSs.
A close associate told Gossipa2z.com that there have been multiple attempts, including from his elder brother Dr. Oburu Oginga, to accept Dr. Ruto’s offer.
“But as of this evening (Saturday), he (Mr. Odinga) was still reaching out to Kalonzo,” the source said, adding that President Ruto “particularly wanted Finance and Energy to come from Nyanza.”
The source added that President Ruto is keen on this since the Finance docket has never been held by Luo Nyanza since independence, presenting the region with a significant opportunity to hold the position.
“Everyone is frustrated. Even Oburu has tried without success,” the source said regarding attempts to convince Mr. Odinga to accept the President’s offer.
While Dr. Ruto is said to be eager to hand the Finance docket to Nyanza, ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya is reportedly keen on the position, having been promised it by Mr. Odinga during the run-up to the August 9, 2022 elections had Azimio won.
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Mr. Odinga reportedly left the country on Saturday evening on a “business mission to Dubai,” where it is suspected he might meet former president Kenyatta, who has been influencing Azimio from behind the scenes.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula on Saturday claimed that “the war between Uhuru and Ruto is not yet over,” which is the main reason for the stand-off and Mr. Odinga’s delay in submitting his list of nominees.
“So Raila finds himself in a difficult position. While Ruto managed to pull him from Uhuru and promised him support for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC), Uhuru is still determined to win over Raila. This is the reason for the current push and pull,” Mr. Savula said.
He noted that he attended various Azimio strategy meetings on behalf of the DAP-K party, the latest held at Mr. Oparanya’s home in Butere, Kakamega County, where cooperation with Dr. Ruto’s government was discussed with “attendant intrigues.”
Mr. Savula said President Ruto is straightforward in his desire to have Mr. Odinga on his side and is particularly interested in ODM.
“He wants Raila to provide names from Coast, Western, and Nyanza alone for the seven Cabinet slots I heard of. Ruto needs ODM more than Azimio. Nobody has even invited the other Azimio team to the government, and I implore them to focus on the opposition and keep the government in check,” added Mr. Savula.
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Uriri MP Mark Nyamita commented: “It’s too early to comment on the Cabinet until we have the full list. The face of Kenya is not yet visible. We are anxious and expectant.”
Mr. Odinga faces a significant political dilemma in light of his interactions with President Ruto’s administration.
In recent weeks, he has faced criticism on social media over his endorsement of dialogue convened by President Ruto to address concerns raised by the Kenyan youth.
The ODM leader is in an unfamiliar situation due to his bid for the high-profile AUC post, which requires the Head of State’s support.
Being at odds with President Ruto could significantly hamper his chances of securing the seat.
Insiders in Mr. Odinga’s camp insist that unlike the ODM leader’s collaboration with Mr. Kenyatta through the famous ‘Handshake,’ his work with Dr. Ruto should involve incorporating some opposition figures into the government.
Mr. Odinga supported Mr. Kenyatta’s administration from the outside, with a promise of delivering the presidency to him in the 2022 elections, a promise that never materialized.
Inside President Ruto’s Cabinet Offer to Raila Odinga: Controversy and Internal Conflict
