Mbadi dares ODM rebels to openly support Gachagua

Treasury CS John Mbadi. [File, Standard]

The ODM party leadership’s uncertainty to support President William Ruto’s re-election bid may polarise the party ahead of the 2027 General election.

The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, has dared ODM leaders opposing President William Ruto’s re-election to join former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of the DCP party.

Mbadi, who is a life member of ODM, expressed dissatisfaction with ODM leaders who say the party will only support Ruto until 2027 through the so-called broad-based government. 

The former ODM Chairman said Ruto’s and Gachagua’s coalitions were the only political pathways for the presidency, whose discussion dominates ODM strongholds in Kenya.

Speaking at Adega Primary School in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency during a women's financial empowerment initiative dubbed Nyang Reswa and Chogo Reswa, which he supports in collaboration with former area MP Silvance Osele, Mbadi told ODM members who are not satisfied with supporting Ruto to declare their support for Gachagua instead of wasting time.

“There is a prominent leader who keeps saying ODM is with Ruto till 2027 only.  To anybody who wants to join Gachachuga, let them go alone, but they should know that we are with Ruto,” Mbadi said.

He warned that Gachagua’s will dupe them as a community and as a party.

Mbadi said ODM will not have a presidential candidate in 2027.  He argued that the only person who would have vied for prudency was the former party leader, the late Raila Odinga.

“Only Raila would have vied for the presidency in ODM.  No one can vie and win the presidency in 2027 apart from those who have declared their candidacy today. The main discussion we should have now as ODM is 2032,” Mbadi said.

He told all ODM members who still doubt their support for Ruto to stop doubting.

“This matter is like a wife who tells her husband that she will only decide to stay in the marriage permanently after the husband has educated all her children. Do you think that marriage will last? President Ruto is not a fool to fail to understand what is in their minds,” Mbadi said.

Mbadi’s position is also supported by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, who said ODM should support Ruto because the party does not have a candidate who can win the presidency in 2027

Mbadi’s declaration is perceived to be a discord that may polarise the Orange Party ahead of the next General election.

Recently, ODM party Leader Oburu Oginga announced that there is no guarantee that they will support President Ruto’s re-election in 2027.

Instead, they will examine how Ruto will have treated them through the broad-based government in order to decide whether to support his re-election or form a coalition with other opposition parties.

Mbadi used the opportunity to urge leaders in Homa Bay County to respect one another.

He said there was no reason for hatred to persist between appointed leaders and elected leaders from the county.

“If you are a governor, stick to your job. If you are a cabinet secretary or principal secretary, stick to your job. We don’t want any conflict between elected and appointed leaders in Homa Bay County,” Mbadi said.

This came following recent differences witnessed between Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.