ODM Leader Mr. Raila Odinga has once again reiterated that the ODM party is not part of the Kenya Kwanza administration saying that the party and UDA are only co-operating under the guidance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed by him and President William Ruto representing both parties.
He says the March 7, 2025 ceremony held at the KICC in Nairobi paved the way for cooperation of the two parties on matters governance and that it is not a coalition agreement.
Speaking in Karachuonyo Constituency during the funeral service of Mama Preskila Koyo, wife of the late Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, Ker Koyo Opien, the former Prime Minister said the ODM party is working with the UDA administration in the interest of all Kenyans for peace, prosperity and development of nation. He said this relationship does not in anyway mean that the party has joined government.
“During President Joe Biden’s regime, he had people from the Republican Party working in his administration. Today, in President Donald Trump’s administration, there are Democrats working in the government”, he said.
Mr. Odinga added that the co-operation between ODM and UDA is a healthy one and which is meant to ensure equitable distribution of resources to all regions of the country, good governance and adherence to the provisions of the constitution by the government.
“We are in a presidential system of government where there are no opposition or government benches in parliament. What we have an institution of parliament whose role is to legislate and oversight the government” said Mr. Odinga adding that “there is no coalition between ODM and UDA” and that the current arrangement is driven by the MoU between the two parties which contains ten points that the party is pushing to be implemented.
“So when Mr. Orengo speaks, he is doing so within the confines of the MoU that we signed at KICC. Same to Prof. Nyong’o”, he said. The ODM leader said that when leaders raise their concerns over matters within their purview, it doesn’t mean that they are opposed to the arrangement. “It is their democratic right”, he added.
He singled out Devolution which he said was threatened because of poor implementation of its functions by the national government as provided for in the constitution. “Why would the national government withhold over Kes. 100 billion meant for health sector which is a devolved function?” he posed.
He said in the 2010 constitution, devolution was the most important aspect which should be implemented to the later but is being slowed down by the national government.
On infrastructure, Mr. Odinga said it was improper for the national government to be in charge of roads supposed to be under the jurisdiction of county governments. “When I was Minister for roads, I formed KURA, KERRA and KENHA under the unitary system of governance, but now with devolved system, we do not need them. The money meant for rural roads should sent to county governments to the roads” he said.
On the NG-CDF, Mr. Odinga maintained that the fund should be scrapped and the monies channeled to County Governments to fund projects. “On this there is compromise” he said.
He appealed to media houses to report objectively on this issue saying that Kenyans need accurate information and not sensationalism.
