In what can only be described as a classic case of "Wait... we're in the government now?" ODM, Raila Odinga’s beloved political outfit, seems to have woken up to the fact that it is no longer the fierce opposition everyone once knew. After weeks of confused denials and vague explanations, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has finally admitted that they might, just maybe, sort of, be running the government.
This bombshell came after a much-anticipated Azimio la Umoja meeting, chaired by the one and only former President Uhuru Kenyatta, was hilariously boycotted by ODM members. Apparently, nobody told them that meetings about their involvement in the government are actually important.
From Opposition to... Running the Treasury?
The fiasco began when ODM's top brass realized that five of their own had somehow found their way into President William Ruto’s Cabinet, leading to a comedy of errors within the party. Initially formed to challenge Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition in 2022, ODM leaders are now caught in a strange limbo – half-opposing the government while half-running it.
Senator Richard Onyonka, during a riveting Citizen TV appearance, laid it out plainly: "ODM is in government. It’s no longer just a rumour," he confessed, almost as if he had only just figured it out himself. Onyonka admitted that it’s now "hard to know how to navigate this situation" – as if it’s easy to be both an oversight officer and a part-time government cheerleader.
To make matters even juicier, UDA MP Geoffrey Ruku piled on, happily reminding everyone that ODM isn’t just a passive observer in government – they’re holding down the Treasury. Yes, that’s right! John Mbadi, ODM’s very own, is sitting on the most important docket, because who else better to manage the nation’s funds than a man whose party didn’t even realize they were in power?
Azimio’s Meeting Mishap: When You Forget to Show Up
As if the drama wasn’t enough, a planned Azimio Council meeting fell apart faster than a cheap umbrella in a hurricane. Uhuru Kenyatta, valiantly trying to wrangle the coalition into some semblance of order, was left staring at empty chairs after ODM members opted to skip the event. The best part? Representatives from every other Azimio affiliate – Wiper, Jubilee, DAP-K, Kanu, PNU – showed up, fully ready to discuss the future of the coalition. Only ODM, the main act, was conspicuously absent.
Meanwhile, ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga put on her best poker face at a surprise press conference, claiming that the party had absolutely no clue about any meeting. Of course, she didn’t stop there – she made sure to warn everyone that if anyone tries to dethrone Raila from the coalition’s leadership, there will be hell to pay.
The Real Question: Is ODM Still the Opposition?
In a bizarre twist, ODM’s accidental entry into the government has thrown the Azimio coalition into full-blown crisis mode. What was once a powerful opposition force is now facing an existential question: Are we the opposition, or are we the government? It seems not even ODM members are sure anymore.
So, where does this leave Azimio? Honestly, who knows! With ODM happily running ministries while simultaneously claiming to be the opposition, it’s safe to say that Kenya’s political landscape just got a whole lot more... interesting. One thing’s for sure, though – we’re in for quite the show as ODM navigates its newfound identity crisis.
