Treasury CS John Mbadi Opens Up on Joining Kenya Kwanza Government, Calls on the Luo Community to Embrace Development through Governance
In an exclusive address during a graduation fete at Migori Teachers College, Mr Mbadi, revealed the reasons behind his decision to join the Kenya Kwanza government and accept President William Ruto’s appointment to a coveted cabinet position, which had been “a reserve of the Central region” since Kenya’s independence.
His remarks came as he passionately rallied the Luo community to take up the opportunity and work with the government for the region’s development.
Speaking candidly, Mbadi explained that when President Ruto reached out to him to serve in the government, he reflected deeply on the history of the Luo community and their continuous struggles for political and economic development.
“When I received a call from the president seeking my service for this position, I thought about the hardships my people had endured since independence and realized that it was time to liberate my community,” he said.
The appointment, Mbadi emphasized, was not just an individual opportunity, but a rare chance to bring about tangible development to the Luo community, which had historically been sidelined in national affairs.
He specifically pointed to the importance of being part of the government, especially at a time when the country was pushing for inclusivity.
“When the president asked me to take the position, he was very clear that I had a responsibility to catalyse development in the Luo community, who have long been neglected in past administrations. And looking at history, I couldn’t ignore the fact that the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, despite his sacrifices, never secured the presidency for our people. I didn’t want to be the one who would be blamed in the future for rejecting such a noble opportunity to serve,” Mbadi added.
The CS further stressed that the inclusion of Luo leaders in key government positions should be seen as a wake-up call to the entire region, urging the community to fully embrace the opportunity for participation in governance.
“We cannot remain in opposition forever, lamenting our exclusion. The time has come to seize the opportunity and be part of the government so that we can champion the development agenda of our region,” Mbadi said.
His sentiments were echoed by several other leaders from the region, including Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko, Suna West MP Peter Masara, and his Nyatike countepart MP Tom Odege.
The trio voiced their support for Mbadi’s position and criticized other Azimio leaders for their continued opposition to working with President Ruto, despite the latter extending an olive branch.
Governor Ayacko noted that the decision to collaborate with the government was a timely move that had helped calm the political storm created by last year’s protests.
“For the first time, we feel like part of the face of Kenya, and working with the government has brought tangible benefits over the past two years. We are not going to look back,” Ayacko said.
MP Masara reiterated that the time for opposition was over for the Luo Nyanza region, emphasizing that those who believed the community should remain in opposition needed to rethink their position.
“We are fully behind President Ruto’s government, and we will continue to support his economic agenda for the betterment of the country,” he stated.
MP Odege challenged other opposition leaders, calling on them to play their role in ensuring the country’s progress while supporting President Ruto’s economic initiatives.
“We are here to stay. We are tired of being used to secure political positions and then left to fend for ourselves. For now, we will continue to support our party leader Raila Odinga, but we will follow his lead,” Odege concluded.
These leaders’ support for Ruto’s government comes amidst ongoing political tensions fuelled by the so-called “Genz Revolution” and the persistent opposition led by figures such as Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua.
The ‘Genz Revolution’ and the Continued Onslaught by Kalonzo and Gachagua
The “Genz Revolution” , a political and social upheaval surrounding Kenya’s 2022 elections was marked by growing dissatisfaction among the youth, who felt sidelined by traditional political elites.
The revolution gave rise to a new wave of activism, particularly among younger voters who rallied behind William Ruto’s “hustler” movement, hoping for a change in the political establishment. Despite Ruto’s victory, the revolution’s effects lingered, as the country’s political landscape remained polarized.
The opposition, including figures like Kalonzo Musyoka, has maintained a vocal and critical stance against Ruto’s government.
Kalonzo, who was left out of the Kenya Kwanza cabinet despite his influence in the Ukambani region, continues to criticize Ruto’s leadership, feeling sidelined and disillusioned.
His exclusion from key government positions has fueled tensions within the opposition, as he, along with other figures, like Matha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee Secretary Jeremiah Kioni, have refused to fully embrace the current administration.
Additionally, Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto’s Deputy President, has been one of the fiercest critics of the governmnet in which he once served as the second in command.
His criticism has been driven by his frustration over his loss of power and his perception that the deputy presidency was unjustly taken from him.
While Gachagua has since alluded himself from Kenya Kwanza, he continues to be a polarizing figure in Kenya’s politics, maintaining an onslaught against the administration at times and adding to the political instability in the country.
Despite this, leaders from the Luo Nyanza region, are calling for unity and cooperation with the government for the sake of development.
They are urging their communities to put aside political rivalries and seize the opportunity to be part of the governing structures that shape the country’s future.
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