The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) deputy party leader, Simba Arati, has announced that the party will continue putting the government in check despite being in the broad-based arrangement.
Mr Arati said the party will continue championing the ideals that defined former party leader Raila Odinga’s life, which include democracy, fairness and good governance.
Speaking in Nakuru town during his tour of the city, Mr Arati maintained that the party will not close its eyes on the violation of human rights and excesses by the government.
He maintained that the party will adhere to the cooperation agreement signed between ODM and the government until 2027, after which each party will decide its next course.
“Even if we are in a broad-based government, we will not overlook violations of human rights and excesses by the administration. As the ODM party, there are some people that we will not be laughing with going into the future,” said Mr Arati.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with some of the actions of the current regime, noting that they are against what Odinga stood and fought for.
According to the Kisii Governor, the party does not support what he called theft of public resources, extra-judicial killing of Kenyans, abuse of power and violation of human rights.
“Baba is now gone, but he has left behind enough foot soldiers who are going to lead the liberation struggle of this country. We have all witnessed the extrajudicial killings, the abuse of powers and the theft of public resources. I want to call upon all Kenyans, especially the young people, to protect this country at all cost,” said Mr Arati.
He cited an incident in 2023 when the government sent GSU officers to his office to intimidate him.
The governor made the statement amid tension in the party following the death of Mr Odinga. The ODM Central Organizing Committee appointed Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as interim party leader amid a deep difference among some sections of members who had a different idea.
Mr Arati is alleged to be one of the team led by the Party Secretary Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi MP Babu Owino.
The other team that is pushing for the party to continue in the government is led by the Party Chair Gladys Wanga, Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi Hassan Joho and Opiyo Wandayi.
The governor, however, caught the Nakuru city residents by storm, bringing the busy Nakuru city streets to a standstill.
He claimed to be on a mission to unify the party members after the demise of Odinga.
According to Mr Arati, ODM is working to keep its traditional strongholds and expand its base.
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