The opposition party ODM is facing internal strife following the controversial nomination of several of its leaders to President William Ruto’s new cabinet. The split within ODM has deepened as Edwin Sifuna, a prominent member of the party, issued a scathing critique of the recent nominations during an interview on Citizen TV this morning.
Sifuna’s Statement
Sifuna did not hold back in his criticism, expressing his concerns about the inclusion of certain figures in the cabinet. He remarked:
“I know Gen Zs, they were fighting for dissolving the entire Cabinet. Bringing in ChirChir, Murkomen, and Kindiki will make things worse. Mbadi cannot change things. Mbadi cannot cure Murkomen and his love for luxury, Mbadi cannot save Kindiki. I am a prophet, and I can say, Mbadi cannot make things any different.”
Sifuna further questioned John Mbadi’s capability to manage his new role in the National Treasury:
“I know Mbadi. He doesn’t even know what Bottom Up is. He doesn’t even believe in this philosophy. With no written document to guide him, Mbadi will have it rough maneuvering through this government.”
The Nominees
The nominated ODM members include:
- John Mbadi – National Treasury
- Hassan Ali Joho – Mining, Blue Economy
- Wycliffe Oparanya – Cooperatives
- Salim Mvurya – Trade and Industry
- James Opiyo – Energy and Petroleum
Internal Party Divide
The center of the ODM split revolves around the decision to join Ruto’s government, following the dissolution of the previous cabinet due to public pressure. The nominations have sparked a heated debate within the party, with some members supporting the move as a strategic alliance, while others, like Sifuna, view it as a betrayal of the party’s core principles and an alignment with a government they have long opposed.
The situation remains tense as the party grapples with these internal conflicts, and the impact of these nominations on ODM’s future remains to be seen.
