National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi during an empowerment funds drive in Kisumu to aid Kondele and Kibuye traders. /FAITH MATETE
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has acknowledged the unparalleled role the late ODM leader Raila Odinga played in Kenya’s democratization, saying he cannot replicate it but can guide the Luo community into a more strategic era of national politics.
“I cannot fit into Raila’s shoes, nobody can,” Mbadi said. “But I can offer leadership that will direct our people to sustainable development.”
Emphasising the need for clear strategy, the CS declared that political parties are formed to capture power, not for perpetual protest.
“There is no political party that is formed for street protests. Political parties are not NGOs. They are formed to form the government,” Mbadi said.
The finance boss highlighted a clear goal for the ODM party, stating, “If we cannot produce a President in 2027, we must produce one in 2032. That must be the irreducible minimum for ODM.”Empowerment funds drive in Kisumu to aide of Kondele and Kibuye traders. /FAITH MATETE
Echoing the call for strategic cooperation, Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron urged the Luo community to fully back President William Ruto’s bid for a second term in office without setting conditions.
The city MP who has branded himself a two term crusader for President Ruto, argued that the President had already shown unprecedented goodwill to the region with infrastructural developments spurring the economy of Nyanza.
“He gave our expert John Mbadi Finance docket without a condition, he gave Hon. Opiyo Wandayi CS Energy without condition,” Oron said.
“I would urge our community to support Dr William Ruto without conditions or blackmail, because he has not given us any conditions.”
CS Mbadi, who was the former ODM chairman, dismissed calls for the community to align with other political formations like one led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying such moves would leave them with little influence.
“Those telling us to work with Rigathi Gachagua, in their lineup, we are nowhere. Yet in this lineup, we are somewhere,” Mbadi asserted.
He challenged leaders to focus on long-term benefits.
“We must know how to be in government and how to work with government. Our future depends on where we place ourselves,” noted Mbadi.
The National Treasury CS was in Kisumu at the invitation of Kisumu Central MP for an empowerment funds drive in aide of Kondele and Kibuye traders.
The statement by Mbadi and Oron signals a pivotal shift in political strategy for the ODM stronghold as the country prepares to usher in an electioneering period.