By Samuel Ouma
The plans to unveil unity Government by President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition Chief Raila Odinga are underway. The Government will aim at steering the implementation of the Four Big Agenda and fight against graft.
Given that President Kenyatta has given his bosom ally Odinga go ahead to include his co-principals, Deputy President William Ruto’s inclusion in the discussion is not clear. Kenyatta’s credible sources revealed to a local newspaper that Ruto’s fierce adversary Senator Gideon Moi is part of the team.
Ruto’s bigwigs led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen have persistently fired warnings to unnamed sources working with the President claiming they have plans to hamper his presidential bid. They have also called for disclosure of what Kenyatta and Odinga agreed on during March 9 unity pact. Few weeks ago numerous leaders lashed out Murkomen for disrespecting the president and the opposition leader.
The Senate Majority leader accused the former prime minister of being the mastermind of Mau forest eviction, remarks which caused uproar from Odinga’s party, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila’s co-principal has thrown his weight behind the Four Big Agenda which include food security, affordable housing, universal healthcare and manufacturing and crackdown on graft. Addressing the party’s National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, Musyoka said the two leaders move will benefit all Kenyans.
He lauded President Kenyatta and his ODM counterpart for resolving to work together to save the country from plunging into chaos after the alleged sham elections.
“We appreciate the wisdom and selfless leadership displayed by our two leaders which has seen the country towards love and unity,” stated Musyoka.
His African National Congress (ANC) counterpart Musalia Mudavadi is yet to accept the new deal. He said he is consulting confidants. The National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition pioneer has expressed his interest in 2022 presidential race. He had quashed rumors propagated by his rival that his party is on the verge of quitting NASA, saying he is in the outfit to stay.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula’s addition to the new leadership configuration hangs in the balance following his latest attacks on Odinga. He labeled NASA a moribund organization saying his heart is not in the scrambling outfit. The Ford Kenya party leader described the ODM leader as a perpetual party wrecker and a betrayer saying he cannot be trusted by anyone.
In rejoinder, ODM allied leaders dismissed the Bungoma Senator’s claims branding him as a dishonest coward. They called him an irrelevant man who cannot stand on his own.
“Wetangula is the least person to talk about betrayal. He does not believe in any values that a politician worth his title should hold. His past betrays him,” said ODM chairman John Mbadi.
The unity Government will also spearhead constitutional changes in 2020 to create conducive political environment. The changes will create an executive which includes the President, Deputy President, Prime Minister and two deputies. The new changes will also bring politicians back into the cabinet. It has also been revealed that there are proposals to expand the Cabinet from 22 to 30.
