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Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has emphasized his independence from the government, stating that his political decisions are guided by principles rather than self-interest.

In a statement shared via his official X account on Friday, December 6, 2024, Onyonka dismissed any notions that he is seeking favor with the government. He affirmed his dedication to the values of good governance, equity, and justice.

“Some of us (in ODM) are not in government! Our agenda was to instill and encourage good governance, equity, fairness, and justice! It has never occurred to me that we were in the struggle because we were fighting to be in government! I have never done what I do because I wanted to be in government!” Onyonka stated.

Some of us (in ODM) are not in gov't! Our agenda was to instill & encourage GOOD GOVERNANCE, EQUITY, FAIRNESS & JUSTICE!
It has never occurred to me that we were in the struggle because we were fighting to be in gov't! I have NEVER done what I do because I wanted to be in gov't!

— Senator Richard Onyonka (@RichardOnyonka_) December 6, 2024

In September 2024, the senator publicly declared that he would neither collaborate with the Kenya Kwanza administration nor accept any job offer from the ruling coalition. At the time, several prominent ODM members had been appointed to key cabinet positions within the government.

Onyonka slammed the once opposition leaders for betraying their citizens by joining hands with the government.

“Some of our friends now say the government is good because they got into it. It seems the government is bad if you are out of it. I can’t join the government because the things I will tell the president, he will not like them,” Onyonka said during an interview at a local radio station.

“I will stay in the opposition. I respect our party leader Raila but as for me, I’ll continue oversighting the government. I was not elected to come and clap for the government when it brings bad policies.” he declared.

Adani-JKIA takeover

Onyonka has been an active critic of the Kenya Kwanza government. He put President Ruto’s administration on toes tasking them to explain the controversial Adani-JKIA takeover to the public.

He said that the deal was shroweded in secrecy and the people of Kenya deserved some clarity.

In September 2024, the senator even wrote a letter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) concerning a communication the agency had sent to Nelson Amenya, a whistleblower of the Adani deal. The DCI had requested Amenya, currently residing in France, to provide information about his company.

Onyonka accused the DCI of using the situation to pursue political agendas and intimidate Amenya, who exposed the confidential deal.

“I have reliable information that Afrinet Carbon Limited is associated with one Kenyan who is the main revealer of the controversial planned takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, JKIA by the Adani Group,” Onyonka stated.

He further criticized the DCI for not leveraging state resources to gather the necessary data.

“The information requested by the DCI are documents that the state can access from the Business Registration Service (BRS), an entity mandated to oversee all the operations of registration of such a business. Therefore, I consider this letter and request from the DCI as a witch-hunt aimed at serving a vindictive, vitriolic and vengeful politically motivated abhorrence,” Onyonka added.