The shift from opposition to governance has prompted ODM Cabinet appointees in President William Ruto’s administration to reevaluate policies they once fiercely criticized.
Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi and National Treasury CS John Mbadi, now navigating complex roles within the Cabinet, find themselves adjusting their stances to meet the demands of their current portfolios.
As Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi has notably shifted his position on Private Power Producers (IPPs) in Kenya’s energy sector.
During his tenure as National Assembly Minority Leader, Wandayi was outspoken in his criticism, arguing that IPPs were manipulating the energy market with high costs that burdened the public.
In parliamentary debates, he went as far as to label IPPs as cartels, stating, “The energy sector has been captured by cartels…lethal and dangerous,” and called for a bold confrontation to resolve what he described as a harmful influence.
However, in his current role, Wandayi has softened his stance on IPPs. Instead of seeking to dismantle their influence, he now advocates for engaging them to expand Kenya’s energy capacity.
This change in approach is evidenced by his push to lift a parliamentary moratorium on IPP licenses, which would allow for renewed private sector investment in energy production.
During a recent event in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County, Wandayi expressed hope that lifting the moratorium would allow for the signing of new Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), stating,
“We are pursuing the lifting of the moratorium so that we can resume signing new PPAs.” Despite his optimism, some MPs remain cautious, arguing that the renewed involvement of IPPs should come with protections to prevent them from misusing public resources.
Similarly, John Mbadi, now National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, has faced challenges adjusting to the realities of his position.
Previously, as an opposition leader, Mbadi was critical of heavy taxation, which he argued could restrict consumer spending and, ultimately, lower domestic revenue.
He had cautioned that over-reliance on taxes was a misplaced approach, particularly as many Kenyans were already grappling with a high cost of living.
Mbadi’s critiques were particularly relevant during discussions about the impact of tax policy on essential goods, which he believed placed undue pressure on average Kenyans.
Yet, in his role as Treasury CS, Mbadi has had to grapple with Kenya’s economic needs in real time.
Following the collapse of the Finance Bill 2024, which sought to raise Ksh 346 billion in revenue, Mbadi has proposed new taxation measures, including levies on daily essentials like bread and milk.
This proposal has faced pushback from the public, especially from young Kenyans who feel disproportionately affected by the rising tax burden.
Although the Treasury has opened up for public feedback on the Finance Bill 2024, Mbadi’s willingness to consider VAT increases on essential goods shows a marked departure from his previous opposition to such measures.
The shifts in policy from Wandayi and Mbadi highlight the complex nature of governance, where ideals and principles often encounter the practicalities of policy implementation.
Their transitions illustrate the inherent tension that leaders face when attempting to reconcile their previously stated convictions with the economic realities that come with executive responsibility.
For ODM figures in Ruto’s administration, these adaptations also underscore the challenge of maintaining public trust while navigating the demands of broad-based governance.
Wandayi and Mbadi’s evolving perspectives provide insight into the nuanced decision-making required to balance Kenya’s economic needs with public expectations, reflecting the wider adjustments leaders often must make when ideals meet the complexities of governance.
