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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir has said they will remain an opposition outfit despite some members joining the Kenya Kwanza government.

Recently, ODM saw its top leaders, Ali Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi, and Opiyo Wandayi, accept William Ruto’s appointment as Cabinet Secretaries. The exit saw the Orange Party appoint new leaders, and Abdulswamad, the Mombasa Governor, was elevated as one of the deputy leaders.

Despite the complex ODM-UDA working relationship, the governor says they will continue to play their opposition role.

“The Orange Party is the single best hope for the people of Kenya to check government excesses,” Abdulswamad said in a post on X on Saturday, August 17, 2024, after engaging with residents of Oyugis, Homa Bay.

He stated that his party has not joined the government; rather, they have supported President William Ruto by donating experts from their side.

“We have not joined the Kenya Kwanza regime; we have simply donated talent to assist the President to stabilize the economy of our country. But we will continue to call out what is wrong and support what is right without fear or favour,” he added.

Abdulswamad’s stance is in line with the party’s position that was given during a Central Management Committee meeting.

“We reiterate that there is no agreement of any nature between ODM and Kenya Kwanza. ODM therefore remains a member of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition and will continue to play its opposition role alongside other parties to push for accountability, transparency, and equity in governance and public affairs,” ODM said then.

Ruto’s position

Even President William Ruto has insisted that his party has not entered into any coalition with the opposition.

“Let me clarify, like the party leader of ODM did, that we did not form a coalition government. So that nobody should tell us we are trying to compromise the opposition. We have no formal coalition arrangement; what we have is running an administration on matters that we have agreed on.

“Members of ODM have agreed to work with us so that we can put the country first and deal with challenges, whether it is the housing plan, UHC, and other matters that are important to the people of Kenya,” the Head of State recently said.