Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has defended ODM leader Raila Odinga’s involvement in the government, dismissing critics who argue that his appointments signify a betrayal. Speaking in Kisumu on Saturday, Atwoli’s comments come amidst heightened political tension and public scrutiny over recent cabinet nominations.
Atwoli took aim at those castigating Odinga, particularly in the wake of the recent appointment of several senior ODM members to key cabinet positions. The nominations, which include John Mbadi as Treasury CS, Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi for Energy, former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho as Mining and Blue Economy CS, and Wycliffe Oparanya as Minister for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, have sparked controversy among some of Odinga’s supporters.
Atwoli argued that the appointments are a testament to the spirit of multiparty politics, which allows opposition figures to contribute to government efforts in achieving national goals. “These people who were saying that Raila is now working in government, where were they when he was fighting for multi-party politics? Those are passengers who do not know what it takes to run a country and have stability. Raila will never betray Kenyans,” Atwoli asserted.
The COTU Secretary General also criticized members of the Azimio coalition who have voiced discontent over the nominations. Atwoli described their reactions as misplaced, suggesting that they lack a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in maintaining national stability. His defense of Odinga was aimed at shifting the focus from partisan squabbles to the broader goal of governance and service delivery.
In addition to defending Odinga, Atwoli called for a regular appraisal of cabinet members to ensure effective performance and accountability. He urged President Ruto to implement a review process for cabinet secretaries every three to six months. “We cannot have CSs who all they know how to do is talk down on Kenyans. You must look at them so that we don’t see a repeat of what happened with the Gen Zs recently because what they are asking for is service delivery,” he emphasized.
The controversy surrounding the cabinet nominations has led to significant backlash from various quarters. Critics argue that the inclusion of ODM members in high-profile positions could signal a shift in political dynamics, potentially undermining the opposition’s role. However, Odinga himself has sought to distance his party from the current government appointments, emphasizing that no formal coalition agreement has been reached with President Ruto’s UDA party.
In a statement released on July 23, 2024, Odinga clarified that neither the ODM party nor the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition has entered into a coalition agreement with Ruto’s administration. He expressed disappointment that no clear terms of engagement had been formalized, despite previous discussions on the matter.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Atwoli’s endorsement of the new cabinet and his defense of Odinga highlight the ongoing tensions and negotiations within Kenya’s political sphere. With President Ruto’s administration navigating complex dynamics and public expectations, the coming months will be crucial in shaping the future of Kenya’s governance and political alliances.
