The Mt Kenya Times 
Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and Martha Karua
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Then, I used to work with a Nairobi based Youth NGO and there was a time we had a close engagement with his office.
- This is after audit reports showed billions of shillings released by the National Treasury for Kazi Kwa Vijana project could not be accounted for.
- The funds were instead being deviated and many believed the money was being looted by senior officers working in his office.
- I remember at the time Hon Kabando wa Kabando, then Mukurweni MP, was an Assistant Minister for Youth Affairs. He worked closely with him.
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga wanted to become the President of this country. If he won the polls, how could he have shared the top state jobs?
I’m sure he could have favored the communities and regions that gave him majority of the votes.
To prove my point, allow me to look at his history.
When he served as a Prime Minister, majority of those who worked in his office were from his ethnic group of Luo.
Then, I used to work with a Nairobi based Youth NGO and there was a time we had a close engagement with his office.
This is after audit reports showed billions of shillings released by the National Treasury for Kazi Kwa Vijana project could not be accounted for.
The funds were instead being deviated and many believed the money was being looted by senior officers working in his office.
One of the audit the unearthed the damning revelations had been done by the World Bank.
Our numerous efforts to meet the PM did not bore the fruits.
I’m the one who would personally deliver the letters seeking an appointment with him. We would also do a follow up.
Whenever the head of our secretariat called, the response from the his secretaries was the same. We are sorry. The Prime Minister cannot meet you because he has a tight schedule.
He has however left a note to invite you and instructed senior officials in his office to meet you and respond to all your queries and concerns.
I remember at the time Hon Kabando wa Kabando, then Mukurweni MP, was an Assistant Minister for Youth Affairs. He worked closely with him.
Besides Kazi kwa Vijana, we would raise questions on why the youths were not considered for state jobs and why a majority of those working in PM office hailed from one ethnic group.
Well, our interventions would fall on deaf ear.
At this juncture, allow me to now focus on the composition of Raila’s ODM party. Majority of those calling the shots at all levels of its leadership were from his tribe.
Infact, this is one of reason cited as being at the core of the revolt being witnessed in Azimio coalition lately.
A number of coalition’s lawmakers have started the process of severing links with Azimio.
In the Jubilee party, EALA MP Kanini Kega (he held the position of the Director of Elections during the party primaries) and nominated MP Sabina Chege are the notable figures.
In light of this, Raila should be the last person to take on President Ruto’s for skewed appointments that saw Mount Kenya and Rift Valley being favored.
I’m not saying this is the right thing to do.
However, Dr Ruto has tried in a big way to remedy this problem. Not a single community has been left out.
Kenya has 45 ethnic groups and the maximum number of CS slots as provided in the constitution stand at 22.
It is not therefore possible for each to get a slot.
However, President Ruto and his administration have considered those who missed for other state jobs.
I heard Raila saying that Kisii community was not given any CS slot and Luo Nyanza only got one slot.
I disagree. Education CS Machogu hails from Kisii and members of this community have also been considered for other top slots. This includes positions at high echolen of the ruling Kenya Kwanza top leadership.
In Luo Nyanza, they got two powerful slots. That of ICT CS and Interior PS.
We know Raila has never forgiven Dr Ruto for defeating at the ballot. It is time he should swallow his pride and move on.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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