Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi in Maalimin, Lagdera subcounty, Garissa
WAJIR Governor Ahmed Abdullahi on Saturday added his voice to the ongoing debate about the working arrangement between the Kenya Kwanza government and the ODM party.
Abdullahi, who has been elected on an ODM ticket twice, said that the majority of party members support the working arrangement between his party and the government.
“To the best of my knowledge, the majority of ODM at every level is supportive of the broad-based government,” Abdullahi said.
"Our party leader has said it on national TV that he will support President Ruto until 2027, and thereafter as a party we will meet and review our partnership and chart our way forward. And that is the position held by our party members.”
Abdullahi, who has made no secret of his strong support for President Ruto’s administration, hit out at opposition leaders and Kenyans who have been constantly criticising the government, saying they will have a chance to elect a leader of their choice in the 2027 general elections.
“If you think that you hate President Ruto so much, please wait for 2027. And if you have to criticise him please do it in a mature way in a way that does not incite Kenyans against each other,” he said.
“In 2027, all Kenyans will have a chance to choose leaders. But don’t require us to hate President Ruto because you hate him. You hate him if you want, come with whichever candidate you want, but also allow those who are okay with him to have a voice. But don’t be so sure that you are the majority just because you are opposed to Ruto.”
The chairman of the Council of Governors said, unlike in the previous administration, where constant delays in disbursement of funds to counties were the order of the day, things have changed for the better under the current administration.
“As governors, we will always seek more funds for counties. We will always agitate for more funding. But in terms of both the amount of funds and in terms of timing release of money, we are better off today than we have ever been as the Council of Governors,” he said.
He urged Kenyans to stop idolising those opposing the government, a habit he noted was common among Kenyans.
“Kenyans like idolising politicians when they are opposed to the government. And we see this both at the county level and even at the national level. Some of these people have nothing to offer,” he said.
On Friday, ODM leader Raila Odinga came to the defense of Sifuna over his remarks, saying he has the right to express his opinion just like any other member of the party.
He urged ODM leaders and supporters to embrace open dialogue and dissent, even if it involves criticism of his leadership.
He said ODM remains a democratic party.
The former Prime Minister stressed that he has not imposed any restrictions on speech within the party.
