- Ruto said that his move to appoint some opposition leaders in government affirms the unity of the country.
- The President defended his move to appoint some ODM leaders to the cabinet saying it is a move to unite the country.
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President William Ruto has hinted at working with the opposition in 2027.
Ruto said that anyone interested in being the opposition leader can take over after three years.
While speaking in Siaya during the homecoming ceremony of Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Ruto said in 2027, the opposition will join the government to work together.
The President said that after three years opposition leadership will be handed over to other people.
"Jana tulikubaliana ya kwamba hio uongozi ya upinzani baada ya miaka mitatu, hio uongozi wa upinzani tutatafutia watu wengine kwa sababu sisi sote tutakuwa tuko upande wa serikali," Ruto said.
(Yesterday we agreed that the opposition leadership will be handed over to somebody else because all of us will be in government).
Ruto said that his move to appoint some opposition leaders in government affirms the unity of the country.
The President defended his move to appoint some ODM leaders to the Cabinet saying it is a move to unite the country.
Ruto appointed ODM's former deputy party leaders, Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, national chairman John Mbadi and National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi to his Cabinet.
Joho was appointed the CS for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs; Mbadi was appointed to the National Treasury; Oparanya Cooperatives and MSME Development CS while Wandayi was appointed the Energy and Petroleum CS.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga has on several occasions affirmed that they agreed to form a broad-based government and not a coalition.
The Azimio boss said he spoke with Ruto on the phone and agreed to meet him and discuss the security situation.
Ruto asked leaders from various political affiliations to support ongoing efforts to unite Kenyans for the sake of unity and transformation.
The President appealed to leaders who do not support the broad-based government to do so in the spirit of patriotism.
"I want to tell fellow leaders that this is not the time for us to be disunited, to think about selfish interests or our political formations. This is the time to think about Kenya," the President said.
"Let us all work together towards transformation, progress and unity so that we can overcome poverty."
He said the unity and transformation of the country are more important than the selfish, personal and political interests of leaders.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed on Thursday declared that he is the opposition leader owing to the fact he is the Minority Leader in the National Assembly.
Junet stated that since the Office of Official Opposition is not enshrined in the Constitution, it would be fair to call the Leader of the Minority Party in the National Assembly the Opposition Leader.
“As it stands now, I am the official opposition leader because I am the Minority Leader and you cannot take away the job God has given me. Those in the opposition should know I am their leader,” he added.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also declared himself the opposition leader following the launch of Raila's bid for the African Union Commission chairperson seat.
Kalonzo said Azimio will remain intact after Raila’s departure.
“Yes, I am ready to be the leader of the Official Opposition. This is the team. You will see the Opposition like never before. We may be light in numbers in Parliament but outside we have the people of Kenya,” he said.
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Image: PCS