Oparanya, while speaking to the press, emphasized that he and the other nominees drawn from the party had not left their parties and would serve the government in their respective capacities.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary nominee Wycliffe Oparanya on Saturday, July 27 denounced claims that he would leave the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in case the National Assembly approves his nomination.
Oparanya, while speaking to the press, emphasized that he and the other nominees drawn from the party had not left their parties and would serve the government in their respective capacities.
The former Kakamega governor asserted that President William Ruto had nominated four ODM members as part of his Cabinet to fulfil his plan for national unity, which would see the introduction of opposition politicians.
Raila Odinga speaking during a press briefing on April 11, 2024. /CALEB AMISI
“This is our country. You remember very well that the president clearly said that he is forming a government of national unity. So a government of national unity definitely will involve members of the opposition.
“And it does not mean that we have abandoned our party ODM. We are still ODM members but serving the government in our respective capacity,” he said.
He further emphasised that Kenya was a democratic nation and anyone qualified and fit could serve in any position regardless of their political affiliations.
The former Kakamega Governor however did not disclose further details on the position as he was yet to be vetted by Parliament.
The politician was notably one of four ODM members picked to take the reins at Ruto’s broad-based Cabinet, a move which, following its announcement, sparked a series of mixed reactions from Kenyans and a section of ODM members.
ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, said on July 25 that the move by President William Ruto to nominate four of his allies into Cabinet positions did not mean he was entering a coalition with the government.
The move caused a stir among Kenyans on social media who even created memes and cartoons of a union between Raila’s ODM and Ruto’s UDA party. However, Raila denied any rumoured union with the government.
“As articulated in our statement on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, neither the ODM Party nor Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party has entered into any coalition agreement with President Ruto’s UDA party,” he said.
Meanwhile, other ODM members nominated to the cabinet include; former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, who was nominated as CS for Mining and Blue Economy.
Suba MP and ODM Chairman John Mbadi was also among the nominees, fronted to serve as the next CS for the National Treasury.
Additionally, Ugunja MP and the Leader of the Minority Party in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi was also nominated to replace Davis Chirchir as the CS for Energy and Petroleum. The four, and 16 others, are set to undergo vetting by the National Assembly in the coming days.
