President William Ruto is on the verge of finalizing his new Cabinet after his dramatic dismissal of all Cabinet Secretaries on July 11.
This restructuring, according to The Star, involves a significant inclusion of opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, which is set to receive several influential ministerial positions.
As per the report, the ODM will be allocated key dockets, including the National Treasury, Mining and Blue Economy, Energy, and Co-operatives.
This strategic move is seen as part of a broader political maneuver aimed at fostering national unity and addressing the pressing issues that have recently led to widespread youth protests in Kenya.
However, this development has not been without internal friction within the ODM. The party has been embroiled in divisions, with factions holding onto their conflicting stances.
On Tuesday, July 23, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna clarified the party’s position, stating, “Cabinet positions in Ruto’s administration have never been the object of the outfit, even as it pushes for a national dialogue to address the issues that sent the Kenyan youth to the streets in protest.”
Sifuna’s statement, however, did not sit well with some senior ODM members, who have threatened to remove him if he is perceived as obstructing their pursuit of the Cabinet slots.
This internal discord highlights the complex dynamics at play as the party navigates its new role within the government framework.
Raila Odinga himself has been somewhat ambiguous regarding the matter. He emphasized that his primary objective in engaging with the government is to address the urgent issues facing Kenyans.
“My motive behind the dialogue with the government is to have issues bedevilling Kenyans currently addressed,” Raila stated, avoiding direct confirmation of the Cabinet negotiations.
President Ruto has already named his first batch of new Cabinet nominees on July 19, forwarding the credentials of 11 proposed Cabinet Secretaries to the National Assembly for vetting.
This selection process is crucial as it will determine the composition and direction of the new administration, which now seems poised to include significant representation from the opposition.
The inclusion of ODM in key government positions marks a potential shift in Kenya’s political landscape, aiming for a more collaborative approach to governance.
Whether this will lead to the desired national dialogue and resolution of critical issues remains to be seen.
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