ODM Legislators Snub State House Invite Amid Political Turmoil

 

A fascinating political scenario is unfolding in Kenya's political landscape involving Raila Odinga (longtime opposition leader) and his recent cooperation with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government. This unexpected partnership has left many Kenyans disillusioned, as evidenced by their reaction to a recent State House invite.

On Monday, September 9, 2024, ODM legislators from Nairobi were invited to a meeting with the President, hosted by ODM Nairobi Chairman and Makadara MP George Aladwa. The invitation, couched as a request to join the President for a housing project tour and later at State House for discussions, saw a notable snub. Only a few legislators, including Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris, Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o), and Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, attended.

Most ODM members, including high-profile leaders like Edwin Sifuna (ODM Secretary-General) and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, ignored the invite. Sifuna termed the meeting as “repugnant” and an affront to the doctrine of separation of powers, emphasizing that the President had no mandate to summon ODM members. This defiance was seen as a refusal to align with Ruto’s perceived political maneuvers.

A Historical Context and Political Strategy

Traditionally, a State House invitation has been considered a rare and lucrative opportunity for politicians. Historically, visiting State House often led to significant personal and political benefits. However, in this instance, ODM legislators’ refusal signals deeper divisions within the party and growing resistance to Ruto’s attempts at bipartisan cooperation.

Ruto’s strategy of engaging opposition leaders through public appearances followed by closed-door meetings has worked in some regions but appears to have hit a wall in Nairobi. This approach aims to create an image of unity and dilute opposition hostility. However, with Kenyans grappling with economic hardship and dissatisfaction, such gestures seem less effective than anticipated.

ODM’s Internal Divisions: IG vs. IO

The ODM party is reportedly split into two factions:

1. ODM-IG (In Government): Comprising members who are cooperating with Ruto’s government.

2. ODM-IO (In Opposition): Members who remain firmly against aligning with Ruto, positioning themselves for future political survival.

This division reflects conflicting priorities. While some members are keen to secure immediate benefits, others are wary of alienating their voter base or jeopardizing their long-term political careers.

Political Implications

The refusal to attend the State House meeting is a bold statement against both party leadership and government overtures. It also highlights ODM members’ calculations in anticipating a potentially short-lived Kenya Kwanza regime. With ODM’s future seemingly divided, speculation about an eventual formal split into two distinct factions is growing.

Final Thoughts

As Kenya’s political dynamics evolve, this episode underscores the complexities of navigating party loyalty, political survival, and public sentiment. The outcome of such maneuvers will shape the political landscape and determine the fate of key players in ODM and beyond.