‘Nothing Will Change,’ Sifuna Criticizes ODM Members’ Cabinet Nominations.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has stated that nothing will change despite President William Ruto nominating four Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members to his broad-based cabinet.
Speaking during a breakfast TV show on Thursday, July 25, 2024, Sifuna remarked that the nominated ODM leaders do not understand the bottom-up economic transformation agenda of the ruling government, implying that their appointments will not lead to significant changes.
“Nothing is going to change,” Sifuna said. “Bringing back Murkomen, Chirchir, Kindiki, and Duale, and adding a sprinkle of Mbadi doesn’t signal seriousness about bringing change.”
Despite his criticism, Sifuna expressed well-wishes for his party members as they prepare to face the National Assembly’s committee on appointments before taking up their roles.
Initially, Sifuna had communicated that the ODM party was not negotiating to join the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration. He cautioned party members against engaging with the government for cabinet slots in the proposed broad-based government.
“Any ODM member who joins the Kenya-Kwanza cabinet or any other position does so without the party’s blessing or support,” Sifuna said on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
However, Sifuna’s stance changed after four senior ODM leaders were nominated for cabinet positions. The nominees include Deputy Party Leaders Hassan Joho for the Mining Ministry and Wycliffe Oparanya for the Ministry of Cooperatives. Additionally, ODM Party Chairman John Mbadi has been nominated for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, and Minority Leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi for the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
Sifuna now insists that the government must train the ODM officials before they assume their roles in the ministries. “Mbadi needs to be trained on the Bottom-Up approach; he doesn’t understand it and doesn’t believe in that philosophy,” Sifuna noted.
The ODM Secretary-General called for a national conversation, asserting that President Ruto has missed an opportunity to address Kenyans’ grievances. Sifuna maintains that before such a conversation can take place, Nairobi Area police boss Adamson Bungei must be removed, victims of last year’s police brutality compensated, and those in custody due to protests released. Additionally, he called for the prosecution of police officers involved in the shooting, maiming, and killing of protesters.
Article By Suzy Nyongesa.
