Youthful leaders drawn from ODM and UDA have affirmed their support for the unity deal between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The leaders, who included Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and ODM Nominated MP Irene Mayaka urged Kenyans to give the cooperation arrangement a chance, stating that the deal is already steadying the economy of the country.
“The positive results of these actions in agriculture, housing, the financial sector, health sector, tourism, and infrastructure have demonstrably been felt across the board - and we urge the President to continue with his relentless efforts in deepening health reforms in pursuit of what has long been a decades-old elusive Kenyan dream of accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare,” they said.
Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, the youth leaders downplayed the discord in ODM over the deal.
They argued that even though the opposition party should hold the government accountable, oversighting the government is a role of every leader and player, including all MPs, civil society leaders and independent commissions.
“.... under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, task of holding the government of the day accountable to the people is distributed in various institutions created by the Constitution itself; and by Statutes. Some of these institutions include Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices including but not limited to the oversight roles of the Legislature and the Judiciary - all whose work is buttressed by civil society.”
Jakakimba said there is a deliberate effort by the Ruto administration to complete ongoing and initiate more national government projects in Nyanza, urging leaders from the ranks and file of both UDA and ODM to support the rapprochement.
In an apparent swipe at Siaya Governor James Orengo and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang’ Nyong’o’s firm stance on broad-based government, the lot said that while they appreciated the role played by second liberation heroes, they should let the current generation chart their own path.
They said the current generation’s struggle is economic liberation, and Ruto’s heart is in the right place.
