A proposal by a section of party loyalists to admit Cabinet Secretaries into ODM’s Central Committee has stirred a wave of reactions some hopeful, others fiercely resistant.
This isn’t just a structural proposal. It’s a strategic move with potential consequences that could reshape the party’s direction ahead of the next political cycle.
Insiders pushing for the change claim that ODM must modernize.
To them, the party cannot cling to old political models while government-aligned technocrats sit on valuable knowledge, influence, and national development insights.
Including such individuals, they say, would boost ODM’s policymaking competence and widen its strategic reach.
But the opposing side doesn’t need convincing they need reassurance.
To them, this proposal smells like a calculated infiltration.
They worry that the government could gain informal access to ODM’s private decisionmaking processes, weakening its opposition role and diluting its political identity.
The timing of the proposal raises even more eyebrows.
ODM is currently engaged in deep introspection over its rocky relationship with the Ruto administration.
Critics argue that inviting CSs to the decision table could send the wrong message to supporters who expect a strong and uncompromised opposition voice.
Legal experts have also stepped in. Kenyan law prohibits Cabinet Secretaries from taking part in active political activities.
This means that even if ODM approves the proposal, the legality of such appointments is likely to be challenged perhaps even in court.
What started as an internal suggestion has now exploded into a national conversation.
ODM is standing at a historic crossroads whether it chooses transformation or tradition will determine the future of one of Kenya’s most influential political forces.
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