Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s troops converge this morning for a make-or-break meeting to decide their position in the new-look cabinet to be unveiled next week.

The matter, which has split the party down the middle is set to take centre stage during today’s ODM Parliamentary Group cum National Executive Committee meeting set for this morning.

Speaking in Nakuru county yesterday, President William Ruto promised to unveil his new look cabinet next week after consulting with various stakeholders.

 “I am ready and willing to consult and engage different leaders because we are a democracy. We shall be forming a new team next week which will carry our dreams towards implementation,” he said.

 His sentiments were echoed by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua who said that he was fully behind the President.

Major split

 The announcement came amid reports of a major split within the Orange party over whether to support the dialogue calls proposed by President Ruto and which could culminate in some of its members joining the new-look cabinet.

Sources within the party yesterday disclosed that those opposed to the talks have stood firm that such an engagement would taint their image yet its principles seem to resonate well with the masses and thus are planning to use today’s meeting to oppose any plans to engage in such talks or even join the cabinet.

 However, another group which has been warming up to the talks has made it clear that it will push for the same as this could see some of them appointed to the Cabinet. “This matter has been dealt with and done. We are going to stay firm tomorrow because we cannot join the government. We are done with this matter,” said a top party official who spoke in confidence.

The party through the leader of Minority in the National Assembly and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi has invited members to a special joint meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) set to take place today,

 Reads the message: “Good evening, Hon Members.  There shall be a special joint meeting of the National Executive Committee and the Parliamentary Group of ODM on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 9.00 am. The venue shall be communicated in due course.

We are strongly advised to attend in person, without fail. “

Speaking in Nakuru county yesterday, Ruto put on notice organisations that are sponsoring violence in the country.

Sponsoring violence

The President said Kenya is a democratic country that is governed by rule of law, and asked the Ford Foundation what it was out to gain by sponsoring violence, mayhem and chaos.

He asked the Ford Foundation to explain to Kenyans its role in the recent protests that rocked some parts of the country.

President Ruto warned that those sponsoring violence and anarchy in Kenya will not be tolerated.

The President made it clear that Kenyan youth was not available for retrogressive assignments, saying investigations have been launched into the activities of some organisations working in the country.

“The Ford Foundation must explain its role in the recent protests,” he said.

Saying the government was aware of those behind anarchy in Kenya, President Ruto said they should be ashamed for sponsoring the youth to cause chaos and violence to achieve their selfish ends.

“We will call out those bent on rolling back our hard-won democracy. We want to tell them that our young people are not ready for anarchy and chaos. Kenyans want peace,” the President said.

He warned: “We will deal firmly with foundations and organisations fuelling anarchy.”

He said Kenyans elect their leaders after every five years democratically and no one should dictate to them on the nature of their leaders because the country is guided by the rule of law,” the President pointed out.

He said organisations whose only interest is to sabotage our democracy should style up or leave the country.

President Ruto cautioned the youth not to be incited to acts of violence by individuals who do not wish Kenya well.

“Don’t be misused to engage in chaos. Those who bring money to incite the youth to engage in violence will not go unpunished,” he said.

He added: “As your President, I will make sure that those who want to cause chaos will face the full force of the law.”

President Ruto, at the same time, assured Kenyans that he was ready to consult leaders from diverse political backgrounds ready to work with him in sorting out problems facing the country.

He said the challenges facing the country, including the debt burden incurred during the previous administration and fighting corruption, required collective responsibility from all leaders.