Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma now says the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will form the next government.
In a statement on X on Sunday, November 3, 2024, Kaluma mocked Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa for claiming to have left the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party.
“Imagine Eugine Wamalwa and his party have left Azimio! Which Azimio! How many MPs has he? @TheODMparty will form the next government,” Kaluma stated.
This comes hours after Wamalwa announced that the DAP-K party was exiting the Azimio coalition, citing betrayal from affiliate parties.
“As DAP, we can no longer maintain a relationship with those who are not like-minded. Those aiding Ruto in introducing more taxes to Kenyans are not aligned with our values. When John Mbadi brings back those taxes, it won’t just be Ruto’s responsibility; our members will be complicit,” Wamalwa stated.
The disquiet in the opposition comes after four ODM members were appointed to the government, with Azimio-affiliated parties expressing discomfort with ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s resolve to support the government.
The four ODM members appointed to the cabinet in Jule include Ali Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum).
ODM-affiliated MPs were also instrumental in the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, working hand-in-hand with Kenya Kwanza MPs.
Despite Raila previously announcing that ODM had not joined the government, the camaraderie between the opposition party and the government has raised questions on whether the former is working for the government.
Earlier on, Kaluma asked Ruto to appoint a Luo as the next Cabinet Secretary for Interior after former CS Kithure Kindiki was appointed as the deputy president.
According to Kaluma, Luos are the greatest defenders of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“Let all communities of Kenya get their due constitutional share of public service appointments. The position of Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of the National Government should go to a Luo. Luos are the greatest defenders of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he stated.
