We Have Not Agreed With ODM To Form A Coalition Government- Ruto

President William Ruto now says he has not formed a coalition government with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Speaking on Monday, August 12 in Nyamira County, President Ruto said they have only agreed to work together on issues that will benefit Kenyans.

The Head of State urged members of the public not to be worried adding that his main aim is to unite the entire country.

"We have not agreed with ODM to form a coalition. We have agreed that we will work together on tasks that will benefit all Kenyans. So, do not worry. My important job is to ensure that we unite Kenya and make it one,” said President Ruto. 

This comes after the President nominated five key allies of ODM party leader Raila Odinga to join the cabinet.

The five include; Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), John Mbadi (National Treasury)Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), and Beatrice Askul (EAC).

The nomination of the five sparked a debate among Kenyans with some questioning the move behind opposition figures joining the Kenya Kwanza cabinet.

On July 25, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the party had not joined the government despite some of its members being nominated to cabinet.

"ODM has not joined the government. As the Secretary General of ODM, I sit in all organs of the party and as SG of ODM, I am the spokesperson of all those organs of the party. There is no decision of any organ of ODM that I sit in to join the Ruto government," Sifuna remarked.

Joho, Oparanya, Mbadi, and Wandayi were approved by the National Assembly and were sworn into office on Thursday, August 8. 

On the other hand, Askul was vetted by the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments on Friday and the report is expected to be tabled on the floor of the house this week for approval.