Cooperatives and SMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has rebuked ODM leadership, urging them to take a clear and united position on their engrossment in the Broad-Based Government (BBG) or ship out.

 In a bold and direct address, Oparanya took issue with contradictions within the party top brass that he claimed are confusing both supporters and the public.

 “There is no way we can claim to be in the government and the Opposition at the same time. No way. We are in government under the BBG (broad-based government) arrangement—and that’s the sheer truth. Why lie or beat around the bush?” the CS posed.

In a candid interview, Oparanya criticised what he described as ODM’s “ambivalent and politically dishonest posture” in the wake of the ensuing political alliances that have seen opposition forces pull together for common good.

“If senior ODM leaders are seen attending state functions, receiving government appointments, or tacitly endorsing executive decisions while still criticising government failures in the same breath, it creates a democratic dysfunction. This undermines both accountability in government and the integrity of multiparty democracy.” he said

 The CS took issue with certain ODM leaders who have been issuing conflicting public statements, some openly disparaging the very government structure they helped establish.

Seeking clarity

“It was high time for the party to decide whether it supports the BBG or not, rather than play both sides and put especially us who are serving in the cabinet under the BBG arrangement in a precarious position,” the CS added.

 At the weekend, after attending the late Kasipul MP Charles Were’s burial, Oparanya disclosed that he met with ODM party leader Raila Odinga to seek clarity accompanied by CSs Treasury John Mbadi and Energy Opiyo Wandayi.

 “I was so surprised. because what Baba, (Raila), told me was very straightforward—that he supports BBG,” Oparanya explained