President William Ruto and former PM Raila Odinga// PHOTO COURTESY.
It is reported that the Executive changes made by President William Ruto yesterday caught former Prime Minister Raila Odinga unaware.
According to the Star, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) wanted the Interior Ministry, the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, and half of the PS positions, due to its support and help during Gen-Z protests in July. However, Ruto on noticing that Raila was trapping him, he changed his mind.
Many anticipated that the Interior docket was reserved for Suna East parliamentarian Hon. Junet Mohamed after it was left vacant by Prof. Kithure Kindiki who was inclined to be the Deputy President, following the ouster of Rigathi Gachagua. It was a surprise that Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was delegated the role on an acting capacity.
While Raila was busy pushing for his African Union chairmanship bid in West Africa, Ruto rushed to Ichaweri on December 9, 2024 where he met former President Uhuru Kenyatta. They discussed matters of national importance, but did not disclose the motive of the meeting.
In a statement by Uhuru Kenyatta’s communications department, the meeting resolved around appreciation and acknowledgements to Kenyatta for a peaceful power transition in 2022.
“President Ruto took the opportunity to reiterate his appreciation and commendation of His Excellency President Kenyatta’s statesmanship in overseeing the peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 elections,” read part of the statement.
However, it is rumoured that President William Ruto signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with Uhuru, that apparently hatched the cabinet reshuffle.
The new changes in the executive caught the ODM battalion by surprise, as some were already preparing for a homecoming to celebrate their appointments.
The reports also claim that President William Ruto played Raila Odinga’s AU chairmanship bid and compromised it, through the abduction of Ugandan Opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Kenya, on November 20, 2024, while he was attending a book launch of Martha Karua. It is claimed that this incident has affected Odinga’s bid and there is something the President knows about the foul play.
It is evident that indeed ODM was not aware of the changes. Robert Alai, a popular blogger and Kileleshwa MCA, has since changed his tune concerning the Kenya Kwanza Government, which he had been unwaveringly supporting.
Yesterday, shortly after the changes, Alai started vehemently attacking the government, while confirming that Odinga is joining Kalonzo Musyoka back to opposition.
Alai is also slamming Ruto for showing Uhuru kindness, in including his allies in the cabinet slots.
“Hello @WilliamsRuto , you are wasting time and the goodwill of other Kenyans with the desperation you have for Uhuru,” decried the MCA, adding, “Don’t act desperate.”
Concerning the snarl up experienced yesterday in various roads in the country, due to festive season, Alai attacked Uhuru, blaming him over incompetence during his tenure. At the same time, he outraged Ruto.
“Uhuru didn’t see the need to expand the road to Nakuru and decided to do “barabara za gorofa” to his properties and strongholds. Ruto should cancel all other projects and conclusively deal with the road situation to Mau Summit. It’s sad what we are dealing with here. Make this an 8-lane dual carriageway,” condemned the blogger.
On the same, Homabay town lawmaker who has been flowering the government has also twisted his tales. He recanted having almost all Kikuyus included in the cabinet slots, without having other tribes.
“Why is the President placating the tribal bigots with appointments, instead of reaching out to all Kenyans?” He challenged.
