The reported decision by some of the co-chairs of the Azimio Ra Umoja One Kenya coalition, including Kenyatta, to sever their friendship with Raila Ruto is said to be the reason why the former prime minister is seen as having hot and cold tendencies in his new relationship with President Ruto.
Kenyatta is said to be opposed to Odinga becoming head of the African Union Commission (AUC), a post close to the presidency that has slowed the veteran politician’s ability to govern.
The former president invited Odinga to meetings abroad at least twice and is said to have persuaded the former prime minister to abandon his pursuit of the AUC and focus on Kenya.
During both meetings in Europe and the Middle East, sources said, President Kenyatta told Odinga he was working to mobilise central Kenya to make Odinga president in 2027.
President Kenyatta reportedly told the country in recent meetings abroad that Kenya needs President Odinga.
Kenyatta argued that a change in circumstances would help Odinga become president in 2027 and told him he should not back the AU.
On Friday night, Mr Odinga flew to Dubai where officials said new talks between him and Mr Kenyatta could be scheduled.
Kenyatta is said to be pressuring Odinga to distance himself from the current political turmoil, arguing that Kenya’s Kwanzaa government could fall at any moment and that Odinga, a former prime minister, would benefit from it.
Within ODM, it is rumoured that Mr Kenyatta is planning to pair his brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, with someone to run for president in 2027.
Kalonzo Muhoho Tickets
ODM believes President Kenyatta was considering the combination of Kalonzo and Muhoho and pitched it to Wiper, but is also said to be considering Kalonzo and his deputy, Ligathi Gachagua.
But senior ODM members are skeptical, arguing that these plans are pointless and are aimed at getting ODM to fight other countries’ wars.
Details of President William Ruto’s proposal to include Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga in his broad-based cabinet have emerged as opposition parties clash over cooperation with Kenya’s Kwanzaa government.
The Sunday Nation determined that the impasse within Odinga’s camp led to delays in the nomination of his subordinates in the 11-member partial cabinet announced by President Ruto on Friday.
Reliable sources in government and Odinga’s camp told the Sunday Nation that President Ruto will then offer the opposition leader at least five cabinet posts and expects him to name people who will help him reform the country.
According to sources, the cabinet posts offered to Odinga that are yet to be filled include national finance and planning, public service, performance and delivery management, mining, blue economy, maritime affairs, East African community, arid zones and regional development.
“Ruto has offered to take up these ministries but Raila is insisting that he should not take them if Kalonzo (Musyoka), (Martha) Karua and (Jeremiah) Kioni do not agree,” an insider in Odinga’s camp told the Sunday Nation.
“We must resist. Finance cuts across all ministries, we have representation in all committees, Blue Economy is the goal of ODM counties from Coast to Busia, Turkana to Nyanza. What do we want?”
But while Odinga remains caught between his partners in Azimio Ra Umoja One Kenya, which includes former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who serves as chairman of the Federation Council, Musyoka’s faction has distanced itself from Odinga’s move to work with the Kwanzaa Kenya government, insisting that the parties involved are acting separately to cooperate.
ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna called the return of the six ministers to cabinet “disappointing”, adding to confusion over Odinga’s proposal to work with his government.
The six former ministers are Professor Kitule Kindiki (Home Affairs), Aden Duale (Defence), Alice Wahome (Lands), Soipan Tuya (Environment) and David Chirchill (Roads), while former Trade Minister Rebecca Miano has been appointed Attorney General.
“This is a huge disappointment and it is not the right message the public was expecting. For example, it will be difficult to have an honest discussion about security reform and accountability with people like Douale and Kindiki back in cabinet. They are part of the problem,” Sifuna said.
ODM officials argued that in order to have a sincere dialogue, “ministers from the previous cabinet should not be reinstated.”
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the president was consulting extensively with those elected on the remaining selections.
“The President wants a Cabinet that reflects Kenya’s national circumstances and meets constitutional requirements such as regional balance and the participation of youth, women and persons with disabilities. The President wants a broad-based government regardless of political opinion. Similarly, the opposition parties are also conducting their own consultations as part of a national dialogue to form an inclusive government,” Mwaura said.
Injecting new blood
“The President needed to find ministers with the institutional memory and the requisite capacity and experience for effective public service delivery. There is a need to ensure continuity in the implementation of the bottom-up economic reform agenda while bringing in fresh talent, as Kenyans are demanding.”
Odinga is in a dilemma over whether to submit a list of candidates to the president amid rising tensions over the former prime minister’s return.
Aides to Dr Ruto told the Sunday Nation that there had been several attempts to get Dr Ruto to accept the offer, including his elder brother, Dr Oburu Oginga.
“But as of this evening (Saturday) he (Odinga) was still in touch with Kalonzo,” the source said, adding that President Ruto “wanted to source funds from Luoland, especially finances and energy”.
Siaya state governor James Orengo described President Ruto as a “passing cloud” and urged Odinga not to do any business with him.
“Please know that joining President Ruto is a disaster. In fact, it is an abomination because it will not work. Where is he taking us? He is not taking us anywhere. In fact, he is taking us to a sinking ship,” he said at the funeral in Arego Usonga.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Sabla sensationally claimed that the “war between Uhuru and Ruto is not over yet”, which is the main reason for the current standoff and Odinga’s delay in submitting his list of candidates.
“Raila is caught in the middle. Ruto has distanced Raila from Uhuru and even promised his support for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) but Uhuru is still determined to have Raila on his side. That is why we are witnessing the game now,” Sabra said.