- Mbadi said the only betrayal would be if once approved, the opposiion leaders in government fail to deliver on their mandate.
- “If they truly trusted in us, then why can’t they believe that we should be there to make a difference?" he posed.
Image: FILE
Treasury CS nominee John Mbadi has downplayed claims that ODM’s involvement with Ruto’s administration amounts to betrayal of the Gen Z who have been protesting against perceived government underperformance.
Majority of the youthful protesters feel any association with the government is in furtherance of individual or party interests and not for the good of the masses.
In a phone interview Wednesday evening, Mbadi said the assumption that ODM has joined forces with Kenya Kwanza to form government is misplaced.
“To me, I think there’s understanding that broad-based government was doing service, it was not two parties coming together. That needs to come out clearly,” he said.
The nominated MP said the question of betrayal does not arise because he and other ODM nominees to the Cabinet are going to offer the very services the Gen Z have been demanding through mass action.
Mbadi said the only betrayal would be if once approved, the opposition leaders in government fail to deliver on their mandate.
“Who are these Kenyans being betrayed, don’t they want services?” he asked. “What have they been complaining about, is it not services? Who do they want in those positions to deliver services if not us?”
He said if the Gen Z truly trusted in their ability to hold the government accountable while in the Opposition, they should have no qualms about them working from within the government to deliver the very services they have been demanding.
“If they truly trusted in us, then why can’t they believe that we should be there to make a difference?" he posed.
Mbadi said he understands the docket to which he has been nominated to is weighty but he will do his best to deliver commendable services.
He said he will play his leadership role to the best of his ability as he believes in team spirit.
“I’m now not going in there as ODM, I’m going in there as someone who is considered competent and to offer service. It has nothing to do with ODM, that is why the law is clear that before you take up the position of CS you have to resign any party position that you hold,” he said.
Mbadi is the national chairman of the ODM party and chairs the Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly.
He said his nomination, though solicited by his party leader Raila Odinga, was based purely on merit “otherwise I wouldn’t have been considered for the same”.
“I believe I have what it takes and with the guidance of God and the team at the Treasury, the support of Kenyans and the Cabinet as a whole led by the President, we will be able to make a difference,” he said.
Besides Mbadi, Ruto nominated ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya and former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to Cabinet.
Joho was handed the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime docket while the former Kakamega governor was nominated the CS for Cooperatives and MSME Development.
Opiyo Wandayi, the Minority leader in the National Assembly and diehard Raila confidant, was handed the Energy and Petroleum docket.