ODM Senators skip PG as Raila defends pact with Ruto

Several ODM Senators skipped a Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting chaired by party leader Raila Odinga at Argyle Grand Hotel along Mombasa Road on Monday morning.

The Senators kept off in what appears to be a silent protest against the manner in which the meeting was convened by “apparently sidelining them.”

Today’s meeting was communicated in the party WhatsApp group, where National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed posted the invite to the PG.

Only two out of 20 ODM Senators showed up: Taita Taveta’s Johnes Mwaruma and nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletien.

The Senators who sent apologies are said to have been irked by the manner in which the meeting was convened, according to conversations in their group.

Nairobi Senator and Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna appeared to hint at the silent protest when he delivered an apology for six of his colleagues, alluding to an uncoordinated invite.

“Whip @Millie Mabona; Senator Madzayo is carrying my apologies together with Senators Beth Syengo, Faki, Kajwang, Crystal, Eddy Oketch, Ledama, Beatrice Oyomo, Issa Boy, and Okongo Mogeni. Kindly record them as well. We will work on communicating better between the two houses,” Sifuna wrote.

On Sunday evening, Junet sought to clarify his invitation, which was only extended to his National Assembly colleagues, saying Senators were at liberty to attend if they so wished.

“Hon members, to clarify the PG issue: I had to address in the memo members of the National Assembly only because it’s the NA assembly facilitating the PG. They are the ones who booked the hotel, and members will also be facilitated, but there is no harm in our brothers from the Senate attending,” Junet had informed the Senators who were inquiring about their participation.

ODM had invited National Treasury CS John Mbadi to take the party members through a presentation on the current state of the economy.

University of Nairobi Political Science and Public Administration Department Chairman Dr. Oscar Otele made a presentation on party identity, position, and compliance in a collaborative political environment.

ODM has been grappling with internal divisions following Raila’s decision to join the government of President Ruto under the Broad-Based arrangement a year ago.

Raila sought to downplay concerns of those who believe the party has already made a resolution to back Ruto’s re-election, warning that ODM follows procedures in such decisions.

“We have not passed any resolutions of the party to say how we are going to go to the elections of 2027. So, wherever you are, don’t commit the party to some things that have not been discussed. Let’s discuss first. We are ODM. Who has told you that ODM will not have a candidate in 2027? A decision will be made when the time comes,” Raila said.

The ODM boss said that as a party, its core agenda of coming together has been achieved as “we have a stable and peaceful country and beat back the chaos and created an environment in which we can agree to disagree without staring at collapse.”

“As I have said before, whatever the differences and misgivings we have as parties or leaders, we must have a country first. Only then can we set about discussing how to perfect the nation’s imperfections and even who is to lead the nation,” he said.

The ODM chief asked his troops not to cower in their alliance with UDA, saying just like his alliance with Kanu — which laid the foundation for the 2010 Constitution — his working with Ruto will deliver more fruits for the nation.

“So, my appeal to you as you embark on some of the legislative agenda coming up is that you should NEVER feel powerless, or feel like GIVING UP because populists around you are seeking popularity at the expense of leadership.”

He added:

“There is a time to lead and a time to acknowledge cheers. Popularity surges and wanes. Cheering masses come, change, and go. If you act out of conviction, if you put people at the heart of your manoeuvres, if you ensure that our actions are in line with our ideals as a party and our aspirations as a country, the luck of history will be on our side.”