Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has rebuked a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officials, who have criticised him over his support for President William Ruto’s government.
Mr Wandayi said it was hypocritical for anybody in ODM to expect him to be in the opposition of a government he serves in, daring the naysayers to carry on the fight as he focuses on projects implementation.
Though Mr Wandayi did not mention names, Siaya governor James Orengo and ODM secretary General Edwin Sifuna have been stinging in their criticism of pro-government ODM members — especially over of abductions, arbitrary arrests and the cost of living.
“You don’t expect me to be an opposition within the Kenya Kwanza government. I am, however, encouraging those who have made it their role to oppose to continue doing the same, but don’t expect me to join you,” said Mr Wandayi.
“If anything, in my former life where I served as the leader of a minority in the National Assembly, I was a master at critiquing. They can’t do it better than I did. Therefore, they should give me a break and allow us to work. Expecting me to criticise the government I serve in is stretching your imaginations too far,” he went on.
Mr Wandayi, and CSs John Mbadi, Wycliffe Oparanya, Hassan Joho, and Beatrice Askul left their party leadership positions to take up roles in the Cabinet.
Mr Oparanya and Mr Joho served as deputy party leaders, Mr Mbadi as national chairman, Mr Wandayi as director of Political Affairs and National Assembly Minority Leader, while Ms Askul sat in the party National Elections Board.
They joined government after a youth-led protests, mostly of the Gen-Z generation, who rejected a tax law, and demanded the resignation of the President and his team.
Mr Wandayi and his colleagues from opposition in government have been faulted for playing to the gallery and supporting punitive policies and actions against Kenyans.
According to Mr Wandayi, he is in the Executive and his role changed when he joined the Ruto administration and now focused on execution of the government’s functions and not to criticize.
Mr Wandayi, who was addressing mourners at the burial of his cousin James Onyango at Muhola Village in Sidindi Ward, Ugunja Sub-county, said they should not expect him to be an opposition within the same government.
The former leader of the minority in the National Assembly, however, encouraged critics to continue with constructive criticism saying it keeps them on toes and delivers optimally to the people.
His sentiments seemed to be targeting Mr Orengo and Senator Sifuna, who have accused the former ODM leaders of turning a blind eye to the happenings and instead cheering Mr Ruto on.
At the burial of the former Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Mr Orengo and Senator Sifuna criticised the ODM leaders who were included in President Ruto’s cabinet, calling them sycophants.
The Energy CS further told the critics that he had numerous avenues at his disposal to solve any issues that may arise within the government.
“As a cabinet secretary, you cannot dictate to me the manner in which I should conduct myself while serving. I have many avenues of airing out my views and not criticizing the government,” he added.
“Those who are making noise outside despite all these good things that the government is doing, we shall meet at the hour of reckoning, when the push will come to shove and rubber meets the road. I can assure you that the people will differentiate the talkers and the doers,” he added.
As an anecdote to President Ruto’s effective policies, Mr Wandayi noted that for the first time in decades the country had produced sufficient maize and sugar for local consumption.
“For the first time in many years, the country did not spend money on importing maize. The country produced enough maize for our local consumption and surplus for export. We have also had enough sugar from our sugar factories,” he added.
Mr Wandayi further praised the Kenya Kwanza policies which he attributed to the positive credit rating in the global arena.
“The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, currently is rating Kenya positively. This is significant because it will allow the country undertake significant projects and a possibility of being able to borrow for development purposes,” he noted.
