Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has underscored the expectations for leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) who have been integrated into President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking at an induction workshop for the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings in Mombasa, Gachagua asserted that these ODM leaders, now part of the government, are expected to fully support the administration’s policies and decisions.
Gachagua emphasized that the inclusion of ODM members in Ruto’s cabinet signifies their commitment to the government’s agenda.
“Rais wetu William Ruto aliunda serikali ya kila mtu na hapa Pwani mkafaidika sana. Mkapata Waziri Salim Mvurya, Waziri Ali Hassan Joho sasa wale watu mlikuwa ODM mko ndani ya serikali sasa,” he said.
“Hii maneno nasema hapa muunge mkono. Hiyo ndiyo kazi ya kuwa kwa serikali. Ile tunasema hapa mnaunga mkono,” he said.
Gachagua further highlighted that the coastal region, traditionally a stronghold of ODM, now has prominent representation within the government, reducing any previous claims of marginalization.
“We are happy that everybody is part of the government. The coast region now you are right in the centre of government, you can no longer complain of marginalization, you are part and parcel of government,” he added.
As part of this initiative, four ODM members were appointed to significant cabinet positions:
- John Mbadi, former ODM Chairman, was named Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning.
- James Opiyo Wandayi, previous ODM Secretary of Political Affairs and National Assembly Minority Leader, was appointed to head the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
- Hassan Joho, former ODM Deputy Party Leader and Governor of Mombasa, took charge of the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs.
- Wycliffe Oparanya, former Governor of Kakamega, was designated to oversee the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development.
