- President Ruto revealed that Raila Odinga and Oburu Oginga partnered in proposing ministries under the broad-based government deal
- He credited Oburu as Raila’s trusted confidant, present in every major political engagement
- ODM secured five key ministries, with senior party figures, including Joho, Oparanya, Mbadi, Wandayi, and Askul, appointed to lead them
President William Ruto has revealed that ODM leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga were the ones who devised the ministries under the broad-based government arrangement.
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Speaking at the ODM Founders’ Dinner in Mombasa on Saturday, 15 November, the president averred that Oburu had played a significant role in many of the late Raila Odinga’s political engagements.
The president stated that in every undertaking he had with Raila, Oburu was always present as the latter’s confidant and witness.
He recalled Raila referring him to Oburu during discussions on the formation of the broad-based government.
According to Ruto, it was the current ODM leader who proposed the ministries the party would be allocated.
“On every matter that I discussed with Raila Odinga, if there was to be a second person, it was Oburu Oginga. I remember even when we were discussing this broad-based arrangement, Raila said the first person I should call. He (Oburu) came and told me the list of the ministries they were thinking about, and many other things,” Ruto revealed.
Ruto further disclosed that Oburu presented a lengthy list of ministries, though he did not specify how many were proposed.
The party secured five ministries: the National Treasury; Co-operatives and MSMEs Development; Energy and Petroleum; Mining and Blue Economy; and the East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
Ruto appointed senior members of the Orange party to head the aforementioned ministries.
Former deputy leaders Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya were assigned the Mining and Co-operatives ministries, respectively.
Opiyo Wandayi, who served as the party’s Secretary of Political Affairs, was handed the Energy docket, while then National Chairman John Mbadi took charge of the National Treasury.
Beatrice Askul, who served on the party’s election board, assumed leadership of the EAC and ASALs ministry.
Meanwhile, the president delivered a message of goodwill to Oburu as he took over the party’s leadership.
“This great party has given you the honour to steer its affairs. We can only wish you well, wish you God’s speed, and grace. Take it from where your brother and our friend Raila Amolo Odinga have left this party. You were not only his brother, but his friend and confidant,” the president said.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
