Two ODM lawmakers have defended Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo over his recent remarks on the proposed coalition agreement between ODM and UDA. MPs Gideon Ochanda and Elisha Odhiambo argued that President Ruto should be allowed to seek political partnerships with other communities without being subjected to conditions. They made these statements during an engagement meeting with Beach Management Unit officials from Siaya County, where Omollo also addressed the gathering.
Omollo had urged leaders to support the government's agenda, citing President William Ruto's commitment to implementing his 2022 campaign manifesto. He emphasized that leaders should be prepared to follow the will of the people in the next election. Odhiambo clarified that Omollo's remarks were not directed at ODM as a political party but at the broader Luo community, which he argued should remain open to political cooperation with the government.
Odhiambo warned that insisting on a written agreement could limit President Ruto's ability to engage other communities ahead of the 2027 elections. He called on the Luo community to support its members serving in government, arguing that their presence could help advance the region's interests. This comes amid growing calls within ODM for a formal agreement with UDA to formalize their political cooperation.
Ochanda cautioned against sidelining the Luo community in successive governments, citing historical marginalization in terms of development and inclusion. He argued that coalition-building was an essential part of Kenya's political landscape and that no single political party could form a government on its own. Ochanda emphasized that the people he represented had already made a decision to support the government without conditions.
The lawmakers' statements have sparked debate within ODM over the terms of its political cooperation with UDA and whether a formal agreement should be secured before the next general election. Some ODM members have been pushing for a written coalition agreement, while others have expressed concerns about the potential limitations of such an arrangement.
Omollo's remarks have also drawn mixed reactions from various stakeholders, with some supporting his call for the Luo community to remain open to political cooperation with the government. Others have criticized his comments, arguing that they undermine the importance of a formal coalition agreement between ODM and UDA.
The debate over the proposed coalition agreement between ODM and UDA is set to continue, with various stakeholders weighing in on the issue. The outcome of these discussions is likely to have significant implications for the 2027 General Election and the future of Kenya's political landscape.
Key points
- ODM lawmakers Gideon Ochanda and Elisha Odhiambo defend PS Raymond Omollo's remarks on UDA-ODM pact.
- Omollo urges leaders to support government's agenda, citing President Ruto's commitment to 2022 campaign manifesto.
- Debate over proposed coalition agreement between ODM and UDA continues, with stakeholders weighing in on the issue.
