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Residents of Homa Bay burst into a celebration after President William Ruto nominated Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairman John Mbadi as the Finance Cabinet Secretary.

Hundreds of Boda boda riders, the business community, and the youths thronged the Central Business District (CBD) as they sang songs praising President William Ruto, ODM party leader Raila Odinga, and John Mbadi.

The ODM chairman was named for the position after President Ruto sent home his entire cabinet following the recent unrest in the country by the youthful generations.

The overjoyed crowd traversed the Homa Bay CBD before holding a major rally at the postal ground.

Mbadi, who once expressed his interest in the Homa Bay Governor seat position after serving as the Suba South MP for 15 years if approved, will be the first leader from the community to head the powerful docket.

Mbadi dropped his gubernatorial ambition in favour of current Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who was awarded the ODM direct ticket.

Cancel anti-government demonstrations

During the event, the Gen-Zs cancelled the anti-government demonstrations henceforth as a way to thank the President for the nominations.

Homa Bay branch ODM youth leader Robert Ouko said that the scheduled tomorrow’s (Thursday) anti-government demonstration has now been cancelled following the nomination of ‘one of their own’ to the powerful finance docket.

Ouko said the nomination clearly shows that the President has the interest of the Luo community at heart.

“As youths from Homa Bay, we want to announce here that henceforth there will be no more anti-government demonstrations in our county,” Ouko said.

“This is the only way we can thank our president for the appointment of our party chairman to the powerful finance docket,” he said.

Former nominated Member of County Assembly Jared Kajomo said the nomination of Mbadi to Ruto’s cabinet is one sign of inclusivity, which the Kenyan youths have been yearning for.

“We want to thank President Ruto for the appointment of our own son Mbadi; this shows his love for our community; already, he had given us Interior PS Raymond Omollo, and we will support him and his government fully,” he said.

Other nominated leaders

Mbadi was nominated to the cabinet alongside other ODM bigwigs, who include National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), ODM deputy party leaders Ali Hassan Joho (Mining), and Wycliffe Oparanya (cooperatives and (SMEs).

The President also retained former Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen, who has been moved to Youths, Creative Economy, and Sports docket, Alfred Mutua (Labor and Social Protection).

Others are former Attorney General Justine Muturi, who has been nominated to head Public Service and Rebecca Miano, who had earlier been named as the Attorney General; however, she was dropped following the amendment of the list by Ruto; she has now been nominated as the Tourism CS.

The list awaits the approval of the National Assembly.