Wrangles could be looming within the broad-based government as President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga's lieutenants hold onto their tough stances regarding their partnership.
Nyaribari Chache MP ODM Zaheer Jhanda has dared the Raila-led team to consider quitting government instead of undertaking opposition whilst inside the regime.
The lawmaker elected on a UDA party ticket challenged his counterparts from ODM to revert to the opposition after their recent pronouncements in public.
For instance, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo is on record declaring that the ODM party will challenge the government against police brutality while still in government.
Millie, elected under ODM, was categorical that they were not intending to walk out on the broad-based government, but would champion the interests of Kenyans within the precincts of power.
Read More
It is such that angered the likes of Jhanda.
The MP asked the Raila loyalists to quit, and the Cabinet Secretaries nominated from the ODM faction to resign and resume full opposition roles.
"ODM should not threaten or lecture us on how to run the Government or human rights issues. They have never won any elections. If they’re uncomfortable in the broad-based government, then they should move out fast. We won the elections without you. Ask your ministers to resign, and then we shall take you serious. Otherwise keep quiet and respect President William Ruto," Jhanda fired.
Raila and Ruto entered a working pact in March year; their pact stipulated critical issues the partnership would be based on, including ending abductions and extrajudicial killing, compensation of victims of police brutality, lowering the cost of living, and strengthening devolution.
Despite the pact, the ODM party has been calling out the government over police excesses and extrajudicial acts.
Recently, Raila differed with Ruto over his recent "shoot to injure" command to the police.
Speaking in Nairobi, the president observed that goons were infiltrating protests to kill and destroy property, asking the police to shoot the culprits in the leg.
The ODM leader condemned the president's command, referring to it as a dangerous departure from the rule of law.
Raila warned against granting law enforcement illegitimate and deadly powers over citizens, especially during times of civil unrest.
The former Prime Minister urged the state to uphold due process and resist the temptation to bypass constitutional protections even when dealing with suspected offenders.
He called for the prosecution of lawbreakers.
