Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has said nothing will change even after President William Ruto nominated four Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members in his broad-based government’s cabinet.
Speaking during a breakfast TV show on Thursday, July 25, 2024, Sifuna remarked that the ODM leaders nominated by Ruto do not understand the bottom-up economic transformation agenda by the ruling government and that not much will be realised from their nominations.
“Nothing is going to change,” Sifuna said, adding: “For you to bring back Murkomen, Chirchir, Kindiki and Duale then you add a sprinkle of Mbadi doesn’t communicate to the people about your seriousness to bring change.”
In a change of tune, Sifuna said he wished his party members well even as they are set to face the National Assembly’s committee on appointments before they can be cleared to take up their roles.
Initially, Sifuna had communicated in a statement that the ODM party was not in negotiations to join the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration.
He also cautioned the party members against engaging in any negotiations with the government to obtain cabinet slots in the proposed broad-based government.
“Any ODM member who makes themselves available to join the Kenya-Kwanza cabinet or any other position should know that they do so without the blessing or support of the party,” Sifuna said on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Sifuna changes tune
He has, however, changed his tune after four senior party leaders in the ODM party were nominated for appointments in the cabinet.
The four are two deputy party leaders Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya who were nominated for Mining Ministry and Ministry of Cooperatives respectively.
Also, the ODM party Chairman John Mbadi and Minority Whip in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi have been nominated to be CS in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum respectively.
Sifuna now says the government will need to train the ODM officials before taking up their roles in the four ministries.
“I would want him (Mbadi) to be taken on a course on this thing called Bottom-Up, I know Mbadi; he doesn’t know what Bottom-Up is. He doesn’t believe in that philosophy,” Sifuna noted.
The ODM secretary-general called for a national conversation, saying President Ruto had lost an opportunity to understand the grievances raised by Kenyans.
The Nairobi senator maintains that before a national conversation takes place, Nairobi-Area police boss Adamson Bungei has to be removed from office, victims of police brutality from last year be compensated and those in custody as a result of protests be released.
They are also calling for the prosecution of police officers involved in the shooting, maiming and killing of protesters.
