Tag Kenya

‘We are going to vote Ruto in overwhelmingly to Mt Kenya’s dismay’ – MP Waluke

Sirisia MP John Waluke says the western area will overwhelmingly vote for President William in 2027, to the disdain of the Mt Kenya area.

Waluke made the assertion throughout the president’s cease in Kanduyi, Bungoma County on Friday, January 24, 2025.

The occasion noticed politicians from the realm element the assorted improvement initiatives completed by the president as they implored for added help on the pending ones.

Waluke challenged the individuals to start out a collaborative train that can goal registering extra voters in preparation for the 2027 elections. 

Meet the People Rally, Bungoma Town. https://t.co/XgOzDyOE1M

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) January 24, 2025

“As your chairman I want you to remain united. Let’s come together as people of the western region. Let us take our voting credentials and be ready for the voting. This time we are going for the real voting that even the people of the mountain will be dismayed,” Waluke mentioned.

The chairman of the Western Parliamentary MPs caucus additionally advised off leaders against the not too long ago introduced bonuses for farmers, warning them to desist from commenting on issues relating the welfare of the farmers from the area.

“We are thankful Mr President for the work you have done. Let people not comment on issues of paying out dividends. In matters of development, Ruto has delivered,” Waluke added.

The remarks come as Ruto’s western tour continues to elicit reactions, particularly from leaders throughout the political divide.

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Ruto and his entourage had been accused of utilizing the event tour to tarnish the name of Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua accused the top of state of failing to deal with the vital points affecting individuals and as a substitute peddling lies. He went on to warning the individuals of Western Kenya to be cautious of lies from the top of state.

“I want to tell the people of Western Kenya to be very, very careful. Learn from us. The president spent five years here in Mount Kenya, wooing us with endless promises. He would spend seven days here, convincing us to vote for him. And we did. But now, he doesn’t even dare visit because we’ve come to know him,” Gachagua warned.

“The president and his team went there for a development tour, yet Rigathi Gachagua has become the centrepiece of that tour. Instead of discussing roads, they are discussing Rigathi Gachagua. Instead of addressing water and sugarcane farming, they are busy discussing Rigathi Gachagua. This region needs roads, water, and support for sugarcane farming. Yet, here we are with a development tour that’s been reduced to discussing Rigathi Gachagua,” he remarked

Among different leaders who accompanied Ruto and spoke throughout the included National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Governor Kenneth Lusaka and Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli.

Also, MPS John Makali (Kanduyi), John Waluke (Sirisia), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), and former governor Wycliffe Wangamati accompanied the president.

 Others current included Kakamega Governor Fernandez Barasa and his predecessor Wycliffe Oparanya.

ODM assist for Ruto leaves allies disjointed

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chief Raila Odinga finds himself in a repair as his shut allies struggle over whether or not to assist President William Ruto’s presidential bid in 2027 or area their very own candidate.

The tiff has seen Raila’s shut confidants sharply differ in public within the presence of the previous Prime Minister, one thing hitherto thought-about abominable.

Some of Raila’s allies have publicly warned their former colleagues who joined Cabinet they need to not commerce off the beliefs of ODM celebration with the dalliance they’re at present having fun with in authorities.

Though Raila has been criticising the federal government over a few of its shortcomings equivalent to abductions, he has maintained a studious silence over statements made by a few of his allies to assist Ruto’s re-election in 2027.

Last weekend, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna hit out at Cabinet Secretaries from the Opposition saying that they had turned out to be Ruto’s sycophants and members of his ‘praise and worship’ crew.

Building discontent

The phrases of the 2 leaders pointing to a build-up of discontent within the ODM inside circle over falling into Ruto’s lure by the cupboard appointments, a transfer that price the celebration assist.

Raila who introduced that he would exit native politics to focus on his AUC bid marketing campaign has previously condemned the abductions calling on President Ruto to cease pressured disappearances of the youth

Orengo identified that ODM stands to lose sooner or later if it permits the ideologies that Kenyans affiliate the celebration with to be eroded at a time when they’re purported to be put into use.

 The Governor was referring to the wave abductions and extra-judicial killings which were witnessed underneath the Kenya Kwanza two years in energy.

“If you lose that identification for any straightforward victories, we’re going to pay for it in future. Our lack of identification ought to by no means come up. And if we make compromises, there should be compromises which can be justifiable earlier than God. The legislation can by no means be suspended.

He added: “You must always live by the dictates of the constitution. If you suspend them, you may be happy now but, in the future, you’ll regret. We must stop extrajudicial killing so that we can build a truly democratic republic.”

Sifuna who can be ODM Secretary General advised off these in opposition to his transfer tom criticize the federal government saying he was complying with the instructions that Raila left to him as he centered on his continental submit.

Joining Kenya Kwanza

The fireband Senator has all alongside been against ODM’s prime brass becoming a member of the Kenya Kwanza since their appointment in July final yr.

“There are instructions that you left to me when you went after the AUC post. You me that we must retain the identity of the ODM party, as a beacon of hope for Kenyans and a party that is going to fight for justice all the time,” the Senator mentioned.

Sifuna mentioned swore to stay to directions of the celebration chief regardless of claims from a bit of Ruto allies that his antigovernment remarks trigger Raila to overlook his bid in AUC.

“Some people are telling me to remain silent even as leaders like Kiborek (Mogotio) and his friends claim that if Ruto’s votes in 2027 are not enough they will fill them up, or not to condemn the wave of abductions so that I don’t spoil your chances of being voted at the AUC,” he mentioned.

He added: “When something is wrong, we all have a responsibility to say that it is wrong. And whether you win or lose at the AUC, I will hand back the party to you in the same status as you left it to me.”

But as if in direct response, Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga advised off Orengo and Sifuna, arguing that members of the Luo neighborhood weren’t born to completely stick within the opposition.

“As stated in the book of Ecclesiasticus, there is time for everything. There is time for demonstrations and there is time to sit back and enjoy. It is now time for us members of the Luo community to be in government,” Wanga advised a public gathering in Homa bay.

According to Wanga, these criticizing a few of Raila’s allies supporting President Ruto are doing so out of envy.

“We shall always support what Baba (Raila) tells us. When he tells us to go right or left, we take that direction. He told us to work with President Ruto and we are doing just that,” Wanga mentioned.

Homa Bay MP Peter Opondo Kaluma , National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and  National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi have additionally come out insisting that they’re in President Ruto’s authorities to remain.

Abductions

Kaluma was much more blunt when he advised these complaining about abductions by State businesses to recollect how remained silent when their folks had been being killed through the latest demonstrations in opposition to President Ruto’s authorities and in 2007.

“Some of those accusing us of working with the government remained silent when our people were being killed. They are the very people who rejected Raila in 2022 and they are now crying out loudly. They prepared their bed, and now they must lie on it,” Kaluma bluntly put it.

He added: “Some are still wondering if these people have truly joined us or not. We are not leaving!”

Though Raila is subtly criticizing Ruto by officers in his ODM celebration, former President Uhuru Kenyatta dropped a shocker final week when he referred to as on the youth to struggle for his or her rights and oppose dangerous governance.

“Don’t just watch as your wealth is stolen from you, everything is worth fighting for. If you do not fight for it, don’t cry later after it has been stolen,” Uhuru mentioned.

He advised the Gen-Z to not bow to intimidations meant to instil concern in them with the intention to silence them from combating for his or her rights. 

“Gen Zs are the story of the future. Fight for your right to get what is rightfully yours. We will support you,” he added.

In December, after Uhuru and Ruto met in Ichaweri, it was speculated that the previous President was headed to affix the broad-based authorities particularly after Ruto appointed veteran politicians from Uhuru’s yard of the Central area to cupboard.

Ironically, the previous President attraction to the youth, which irked leaders in Ruto’s camp, coincided with the swearing of the cupboard secretaries indicating that he had not concerned of their appointment.

Ruto has been making determined strikes to include public resentment in opposition to his administration by onboarding influential leaders within the Kenya Kwanza authorities.

Since June final yr when antigovernment protests broke out, the President has had Opposition chief Raila Odinga and not too long ago his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta to decrease the rising political temperatures.

Last yr, Ruto whereas in search of to neutralize mounting antagonism dealing with his administration engaged in horse buying and selling together with his political archrival Opposition chief Raila Odinga.

The President nominated Raila as Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission chairmanship and provided that the federal government by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would fund his marketing campaign.

Additionally, he appointed 5 key officers in Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) together with the then National Elections Coordinating Committee Beatrice Askul former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, his former Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya, the then National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and nominated MP John Mbadi.

Before their appointment, Joho and Oparanya served as ODM deputy celebration leaders, Mbadi was the celebration chairman whereas Wandayi served because the Secretary for political affairs.

While Raila blessed the 5 ‘experts’ to affix the cupboard amid lethal protests mobilized by Gen-Z over dangerous governance and rampant corruption in authorities he insisted that there was no coalition pact between ODM and Kenya Kwanza.  

“The five have joined the government in their individual capacities to do national duty and not as representatives of ODM party. When the President tapped these members, the party responded to the distress call of the nation and released them to serve the people of Kenya,” Raila mentioned.

‘I am focused on developing ODM youth league’ – Kasmuel McOure reveals on future political plans

Revolutionary artist Kasmuel McOure is making daring strikes that will see him get a sit on the desk forward of the 2027 polls.

Speaking on K24 TV’s New Dawn present, McOure whose rise to public limelight was catapulted by his enter and eloquence throughout the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests, defined that he was extra centered on popularising the youth within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Defending the transfer, Kasmuel maintained that by the ODM Youth League, he would have the ability to make a significant contribution that will help shape the scope of Kenyan politics.

“For me, I am particularly focused on developing the ODM Youth League because that will allow us to sit at the table not just as a heckler but as decision-makers deciding this is how we the youths want to be governed by the government in waiting which is ODM,” Kasmuel acknowledged throughout a panel dialogue on K24 TV.

Joining ODM

On November 10, 2024, Kasmuel joined ODM, a choice which sparked debate among the many youthful inhabitants whom he associated with during the protests.

After a gathering with social gathering chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Kasmuel mentioned the social gathering was out to revive youth and pupil leagues throughout the nation.

“If you’re keen to affix a substantive political motion for a good, democratic Kenya the place everybody can dwell with dignity, think about ODM social gathering – the biggest pro-people social gathering in East and Central Africa!

“We’re revitalising the Youth and Students’ Leagues and are calling on passionate young Kenyans to help shape our future. Stand with us! Thank you, party chair Gladys Wanga, for your faith and for hosting us this weekend,” Kasmuel mentioned.

Since then, the artist has been vibrant in pushing ODM’s agenda regardless of falling out with some Gen-Zs.

Weighs on Gachagua’s affect

Besides his political ambition, Kasmuel warned that the previous Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua couldn’t be wished away.

According to the youthful artist, Gachagua’s affect might shake the nation forward of the 2027 polls however maintained it was nonetheless early to make that prediction

“There isn’t any denying that Rigathi Gachagua is an influential man nonetheless I have no idea if that interprets into political capital as a result of there have been very many influential folks earlier than and I can’t say his affect will not be right here or there.

“Any true student of politics knows that 2027 is still too far to know how that election will go,” Kasmuel affirmed.

Kasmuel McOure: We are nonetheless too removed from 2027 to understand how that election will go. For me, I’m centered on creating the ODM youth league. That will permit us to take a seat on the desk as decision-makers.#NewDawn pic.twitter.com/vohTKa0emh

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) January 24, 2025

Gachagua’s Wamunyoro conferences and his scathing assaults on President William Ruto proceed to make headlines. Despite his impeachment, the previous DP reinvented himself attracting attention from the Head of State.

During his Western improvement tour, Ruto slammed Gachagua claiming that he was incompetent and tribal. In a fast rejoinder, Gachagua referred to as out Ruto claiming that he had nothing to indicate for being in workplace for 2 years.

Ruto’s allies had been additionally drawn into the controversy with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi saying that Gachagua couldn’t even grow to be a village elder.