We are faced with an oxymoronic political situation, thanks to the broad-based government.
The horse-trading that is currently happening, or is bound to happen by sharing committee leadership, arose from the political melee that ensued in 2024 because of the uprising against the Finance Bill, 2024, as it then was.
It was all because of the challenges the government was facing and the people rising against the regime – remember the attack on Parliament and threats to attack State House and JKIA.
Essentially, the entire government was under attack. When the time came for negotiations, there had to be the formation of a broad-based government and horse-trading to create political balance, peace and calm in the country.
But now, because of the movements of political plate tectonics that led to the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua and now Mt Kenya having tilted and moved away from Kenya Kwanza, President Ruto and KK have got to create balance.
If at all Gachagua’s allies would continue leading certain committees, they would be merely seat-fillers who would not wholeheartedly move the government agenda.
Remember, Parliament functions appropriately at the committee level. Anything that happens in Parliament has to go to appropriate committees. Therefore, the leadership of these committees is very crucial.
The inclusion of some members of ODM into the leadership of these committees is to fully entrench the broad-based government Initially, a broad-based government had not been fully implemented.
It had only been implemented at phase one - Cabinet or Executive level. The inclusion of ODM members in the leadership of some committees means that the broadbased government is headed to phase two, where it is broad-based government at the legislative level.
Two, it is a calculated move and an appropriate way of appeasing Raila and ODM and making them appreciate that they are actually in government and sit in positions of power.
And, thirdly, for the longest time, we have had ODM A and ODM B. One supports the government and the other does not.
Political analyst spoke to Star
