The Energy and Petroleum CS nominee Peter Wandayi has defended his past opposition to government proposals, explaining that he was fulfilling his duties as an MP and leader of the minority in the National Assembly.
Wandayi, previously a leader of the minority was nominated to head the Energy and Petroleum docket in President William Ruto’s broad-based government.
During his vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Saturday, Wandayi addressed concerns about his ideological shift if approved by parliament as Energy CS.
“There is no contradiction whatsoever in what I believed then and what I believe now. I simply know that I have been called to perform a national duty and as a patriotic Kenyan, I have responded positively to the call,” Wandayi stated.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Boss Shollei, questioned Wandayi on how his transition from a key opposition figure to a Cabinet Secretary would appear.
“On many occasions, you opposed government proposals. What shift in ideology will allow you to satisfactorily serve as a CS in government?” Shollei asked.
“Parliament has a collective duty to oversight the Executive. I was simply playing my role as an MP but above all, as leader of the Minority, I was leading my troops in putting the Executive to check without any prejudice,” he responded.
Wandayi, other CS nominees leave ODM
On July 31, 2024, ODM officially released Wandayi and three of its leaders nominated for CS positions in President William Ruto’s government.
The party confirmed the resignations of John Mbadi as National Chairperson and Opiyo Wandayi as Secretary for Political Affairs, along with Wycliffe Oparanya, Hassan Joho, and Beatrice Askul Moe from their respective roles.
Despite these changes, ODM emphasized that it has not formed an alliance with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and continues to push its opposition agenda within the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition.
The party proposed Junet Mohamed as the new Leader of the Minority in the National Assembly, Millie Odhiambo as the Minority Whip, Caleb Amisi as the Public Accounts Committee chair, and Wilberforce Oundo as the vice-chair of the Public Investments Committee.