Kalonzo: We want to see how ODM will vote during CSs vetting

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has now put the members of Parliament elected on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket on the spot over the vetting of Cabinet nominees scheduled from Thursday, August 1, 2024, to Sunday, August 4, 2024.

Speaking on Sunday, July 28, 2024, after attending a church service in Kyuso, Mwingi North, Kalonzo stated that the vetting exercise will present a perfect opportunity for ODM MPs to prove their narrative that the four of its party stalwarts joined Cabinet on their own volition.

Kalonzo detailed that ODM members have defended the party following the nomination of its members to join the cabinet, but the vetting process will help Kenyans determine if it is true that the party did authorise their inclusion into the broad-based government or not.

The Wiper Party leader explained that ODM is still part of Azimio, which is opposed to the move to join the Kenya Kwanza government. However, the vetting exercise will help to determine the fate of ODM, Kalonzo indicated.

The four nominees are National Orange Democratic Movement Party Chairman and nominated MP John Mbadi (National Treasury and Economic Planning), ODM Deputy Party Leaders Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), as well as National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum).

“Now we want to see in ODM if indeed they say that these people went on their own without the concurrence and authority of ODM which is a major party in Azimio,” Kalonzo stated.

Proverbs 16:19 – "It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoils with the proud."

We want to see in ODM, 'the proof of the pudding that is in the eating'; when the time comes for vetting CSs, how their MPs will vote. pic.twitter.com/OgUjhT0mEu

— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) July 28, 2024

Kalonzo, however, did not reveal the next course of action of ODM MPs who unanimously endorse the four nominees during the vetting process.

The four are among other nominated Cabinet Secretaries who will face the Committee on Appointments.

Raila’s comments on 4 ODM members

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday, July 27, 2024, defended the ODM party against reports that it had joined the Kenya Kwanza government.

Raila reinforced the narrative that the four ODM bigwigs agreed to work with President Ruto in their own capacities.

“We have released the four officials to work with the government. Let it be known that we don’t have an agreement with the government on anything. If they will help the government in running the country, then we cannot stop them,” Raila stated.

Further, Raila clarified that his outfit has not signed any formal working agreement with Kenya Kwanza and that ODM is still a minority party meant to check the government.

“The government showed interest in working with our members; we released them to go and help run the country. The Orange Party is still in opposition and a member of the Azimio la Umoja coalition,” he added.

We want a new Kenya. The people of Kenya deserve a new Kenya. We support the Gen Z demands; they are the demands of Kenyans. Our proposed way forward is let's meet at Bomas and reset Kenya for the prosperity of all. pic.twitter.com/838gtiJty4

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) July 27, 2024

Similar sentiments were shared by Oparanya, who indicated that he agreed to join the Cabinet in his own individual capacity to help the government deliver on its mandate.

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