Ruto Leads Broad-Based Parliamentary Group Meeting in Naivasha [Photos]

President William Ruto on Monday, August 10, led the Joint Broad-Based Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting in Naivasha, Nakuru County. 

The meeting brought together leaders from the Kenya Kwanza and ODM camps for discussions on the partnership between the two political formations.

The meeting was attended by a host of leaders, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, ODM leader Oburu Oginga, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.

Also present were Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. 

Governors, senators and MPs from both UDA and ODM also attended the meeting, led by their respective Secretary Generals Hassan Omar and Catherine Omanyo.

Speaking during the meeting, Oburu reflected on ODM’s previous political arrangement with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, contrasting it with the current broad-based government partnership. 

He said the earlier arrangement did not result in ODM receiving Cabinet Secretary or Principal Secretary positions.

"Before we joined the broadbased government, we were in a handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta. He did not give us even a single CS or PS position. The only thing that President Uhuru Kenyatta gave us was a promise to give us the presidency," he said.

Ruto, meanwhile, said the late ODM leader Raila Odinga had agreed with him on key government priorities, including housing and universal health coverage.

"When it was time to discuss housing and universal health coverage, Hon. Raila Odinga agreed with me," he stated.

Ruto further said ODM members had no difficulty supporting the formation of the broad-based government because they could identify with the programmes and agenda being implemented by the administration.

"Our brothers and sisters in ODM did not find it difficult to support the decision to form the broad-based government because, in the agenda we were implementing, they could see their role and contribution as members of ODM," he added.

Additionally, Ruto called on leaders attending the meeting to observe a minute of silence in memory of Raila, acknowledging his contribution to the political arrangement.

"As we start this meeting, there is one person who is not here, a very significant, consequential statesman without whom we would not be sitting in the formation we are sitting in today.

"And in his honour and to appreciate him for his contribution not just to our nation, not even to our government but to us who are here in Naivasha, I want to request you to observe a minute of silence in honour of the late Raila Odinga, our former Prime Minister," he said.

At the same time, Ruto said the broad-based camp must win the 2027 General Election.

He argued that the broad-based team must secure victory, not for the benefit of individual leaders, but for the sake of the country.

"We must win the next election. By God's grace, we must win the next election, Insha'Allah. Not for your sake but for the sake of Kenya, because the alternative is difficult to fathom," he further said.

Ruto warned that losing the election to the united opposition would be dangerous for the country.

"We have no choice because the alternative, I shudder. A group of people who have no plan, no agenda, no policy, no vision is too dangerous for Kenya," he stated.

Ruto also hinted at the possibility of ODM and UDA forming a broad-based coalition which they will use to seek power in 2027. 

"Azimio was a coalition, so what is the problem? Will broad-based become another miracle? It will become a coalition, just as we have done others, and we will agree on how we will move forward together," he explained.

Further, Ruto assured broad-based supporters that UDA and ODM have leaders with experience needed to structure and sustain a coalition. 

"People should not worry. We are the experts in these things, and we have enough experts to make it work. We will build this thing, and it will become a government," he added.