- Natembeya said it was not possible for ODM to be in government and at the same time pretend to be in the opposition
- He said was no way those in government could oversee themselves
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
The ODM party should fully join the government instead of playing politics of deceit, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has said.
Natembeya said it was not possible for ODM to be in government and at the same time pretend to be in the opposition.
“ODM cannot have one foot in government and another one in the opposition,” Natembeya said.
Four ODM members have since taken up Cabinet positions in President William Ruto's government.
The four are chairman John Mbadi, Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya - who previously served as deputy party leaders and Opiyo Wandayi who served as the minority leader in the National Assembly.
Natembeya said there is no way those in government could oversee themselves.
“Let them join Ruto fully so that we have a clear divide along with proper checks and balances.”
Positions reserved for the opposition in Parliament should not be held by members of ODM, he added.
ODM was being dishonest and should not scheme to run away from Kenya Kwanza failures at the end of five years.
“They should not pretend to be on both sides so that when time comes and things don’t work, they will seek to return to the opposition. We will not accept that because Kenyans know they are part of this regime,” he said.
“That time we will deal with them as government and if there will be failures, then they will also take the blame.”
The appointments were made following a deal between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto.
Raila has insisted that his party only 'donated' the four to help save Ruto’s government from collapse, due to pressure from Gen Zs.
“We have no coalition arrangement with Ruto’s government and ODM has not therefore joined government,” Raila said.
But Natembeya accused Raila and his team of doublespeak and undermining democracy.
“This is a government of Kenya Kwanza and ODM. ODM cannot be with them eating at night and when we cry of hunger during the day they also pretend to be crying with us.”
The governor's remarks come as he continues to speak against Luhya leaders, whom he says have "overstayed in power and have been pushing selfish agenda".
Natembeya has been touting his “Tawe movement,” which he says is aimed at liberating western Kenya communities from these leaders.