Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has assured UDA supporters of vigilance in light of ODM leader Raila Odinga’s agreement to release a section of his lieutenants to work with President William Ruto under the broad-based government.

Speaking during a funeral ceremony in Sirisia constituency in Bungoma County on Saturday, August 17, 2024, Barasa noted that despite Raila men’s inclusion in the cabinet, they would remain vigilant to ensure nothing unbecoming emerges from the union.

William Ruto ambaye ni rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya akatafuta yule mzee ambaye alikuwa anafanya nyef nyef kwa barabara akanasa yeye sasa yeye anafanyia nyef nyef kwa serikali ndani pamoja na watu wake ndani, nchi imetulia, nchi inasonga. Sisi kama vijana wa Ruto tukiwa na mheshimiwa Kapondi (Mt Elgon MP) na Walukhe (Sirisia MP), tunajua Mzee in and out,” Barasa said. Loosely translated to

(President William Ruto reached out to Raila Odinga who has carried his bad manners into this government, but we know him in and out with MPs Fred Kapondi and John Walukhe.)

“Sasa wale wafuasi wa serikali ya Kenya Kwanza ambao walikuwa na wasiwasi kwamba engine huyu mzee vile amekuja kufanya kazi na sisi atatufanyia ile alifanyia Moi wakati wa KANU na Kibaki, hawezi, sisi tuko chonjo, tuko digital, mahali anatembea sisi tunachunguza yeye,” Barasa assured. translated to

(To the Kenya Kwanza supporters wary of the inclusion of Raila Odinga in this government, we want to assure you that we are closely watching every step he makes and would not allow anything unwanted to happen under our watch.)

The cooperation pact between Ruto and Raila continues to draw mixed reactions from the various political factions in the country, with ODM politicians seemingly enjoying the current arrangement which got four of their members to the cabinet.

Unease over Ruto-Raila pact

However, in the UDA party, the unprecedented step by Ruto has greatly tipped the scales of power, with a section of the politicians unsure of what the move could mean for political arrangements in the country.

The surprise announcement by Ruto to dissolve his cabinet and include senior ODM officials in his government caught many flat-footed barely two years after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua told the nation that he would ensure Raila is kept away from the Kenya Kwanza administration.

However, the DP has since changed his tune, stating that tolerance was crucial during a cabinet meeting on August 12, 2024.

“When I look and find Hassan Joho, Wandayi, and Mbadi in the same Cabinet with me, I appreciate that Kenya is great and we must all learn to live with each other,” Gachagua said.