- Ruto had invited Nairobi ODM MPs for a meeting at State House on Monday.
- Raila set to chair Central Management Committee on Wednesday.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/X
Opposition Chief Raila Odinga’s key allies on Monday skipped a crucial meeting convened by President William Ruto at State House Nairobi raising fears that some MPs were quietly opposed to the truce
What was to be a sit down between the President and the Nairobi opposition lawmakers almost aborted after only three out of the 19 elected ODM MPs showed up.
The snub, coming weeks after Ruto roped in Raila's men into his government, signals disquiet by some insiders.
Contacted for a comment, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna confirmed receiving an invite but termed it disrespectful.
“First of all, the President has no powers to convene members of ODM. Secondly, as a legislator, I find it repugnant to the doctrine of separation of powers for a President to summon us to State House,” Sifuna told the Star.
“I found the invitation extremely disrespectful and ill motivated to perpetuate nefarious political ends.”
President Ruto appointed five ODM politicians as part of his broad-based government to stabilise the country after weeks of protest by youths.
They include John Mbadi (National Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Hassan Joho (Blue Economy and Mining), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Beatrice Askul of East African Community.
The three who met Ruto were George Aladwa (Makadara), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North) and Esther Passaris (Nairobi MP).
The remaining 15 kept off despite being invited.
Langata MP Felix Oduor joined the President in the inspection of the affordable housing in his constituency but was not present at State House.
According to the plan, the ODM MPs were to accompany the President in his inspection tour of ongoing construction of 4,054 affordable housing units in Kibra.
The President was later to host the ODM leaders at State House.
Aladwa was tasked with convening the Monday meeting and extended the invite to all his 19 colleagues.
“Good morning ****, I hope you have woken up well by the grace of God Amen and very urgent and sorry for the short notice, the President has requested we accompany him to Highrise Ward Langata constituency in Nairobi at 11 am,” read part of invite letter sent by Aladwa to the legislators on Monday morning.
“After the housing tour, we as ODM Party Nairobi County members of Parliament will have a sitting/meeting with H E today Monday September 9, 2024 at State House. Thank You and be blessed.”
The move to snub the State House meeting comes less than a month after Ruto formed the broad-based government.
Speaking to the Star on phone, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said he has decided to be with the people.
“You can’t be on both sides,” Babu told the Star.
“At the moment, I am with the people, so until such a time when Ruto starts working for the people is when I can sit with him on the same table. If he is not working for the people, then there is nothing I can discuss with him.”
Mathare MP Antony Oluoch said he was upcountry when asked why he didn’t attend the State House meeting.
“I am just from home, I was not around,” Oluoch said.
Since going public with the political deal with Ruto, a number of Raila men have been divided on whether to embrace the new marriage or remain in the opposition.
Owino is among Raila men who have stated that he will remain in the opposition to oversight the government.
Raila will Wednesday chair ODM’s Central Management Committee meeting where the issues may form part of the agenda.
Some sources claimed the meeting will usher in a caretaker team to steer the party in the absence of Raila who is eyeing the Africa Union Commission chairmanship.
The Star could not however independently confirm.
Raila last month announced he is quitting local politics to concentrate on his AUC bid, triggering the succession debate in Azimio and its largest member party, ODM.
Insiders in ODM argue that the party needs an old hand to steer it through the transition in the absence of Raila.
Many argue that the three deputies should rally behind a central figure, who will give direction to the party.
So far, governors James Orengo (Siaya), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Sifuna have been mentioned as possible replacement for Raila.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi yesterday backed Sifuna to replace Raila with Orengo chairing supreme council of elders which will provide advisory role to the party.
“The ODM party is ripe for youthful blood. The rejuvenation of Africa’s biggest democratic party lies in the freshness, energy, charisma, enthusiasm and dedication of its youthful supporters,” Amisi said.
ODM however rubbished reports that Raila would be exiting the stage in the coming days to direct his energies on the AUC bid.