The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has denied allegations that it is negotiating with the Kenya Kwanza administration to form a coalition government.
The party stated that any member who agrees to be appointed as a Cabinet Secretary or to any government position will do so at their own discretion.
“As a party, we wish to make it unequivocally clear that we are not in negotiations with the Ruto regime for any coalition or political arrangement,” stated Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
“Any ODM member who makes themselves available to join the Kenya Kwanza cabinet or any other position should know that they do so without the blessing or support of the party.”
While expressing support for the Gen Z-led protests aimed at pushing for the implementation of changes in the country, the party underscored the need to hold an honest and all-inclusive national conversation.
However, ODM insists that the talks be preceded by the fulfilment of several conditions, including compensation for the families of those killed during protests, the release of those arrested and the termination of the cases against them, prosecution of police officers accused of killing protesters, and the dismissal of Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei.
ODM’s statement comes at a time when President William Ruto is in the process of forming a broad-based government, having nominated the first batch of Cabinet Secretaries last week.
The President is expected to announce the second batch of nominees to the Cabinet soon.
