Martha Karua, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader, has explained why Raila Odinga did not attend the ceremonial inauguration of her new political party.
In an interview shortly after the launch on Thursday night, Karua revealed that she had not invited the former Prime Minister, despite their long friendship and political history.
Karua admitted that while she and Raila are still close on a personal level, their political paths have diverged.
She emphasized that Raila and his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), are attempting to serve in both the administration and the opposition.She believes that this approach is both legally and politically dubious.
She questioned ODM’s approach to governing, claiming that the party refused to join the government through formal channels and instead collaborated unofficially.
According to Karua, the legislation requires any party seeking to join the government to execute a post-election coalition agreement.
However, she alleged that ODM avoided this process and instead reached an informal agreement that allowed them to enjoy government benefits while maintaining its opposition designation.
“Sikuwa nimemualika, Raila bado ni ndugu yangu na ni rafiki yangu lakini kisiasa hatuko pande moja kwa sababu vile naelewa ako mguu moja ndani ya serikali na mguu mwengine kwenye upinzani,” Karua stated.“
Yeye na chama chake wamekataa kuingia kwa serikali kupitia mlango wa mbele wameingia na ya nyuma kinyume na sheria.”She continued: “Sheria inasema baada ya uchaguzi chama ikitaka akuingia kwa serikali lazima wafanye post election coalition agreement hao ni come we stay na wanaendelea kukalia viti ambavyo vinatakiwa vikaliwe na upinzani, viti vile ambazo zingekaliwa na chama cha Kalonzo Musyoka na vyama vengine viko bunge vya upinzani.”
In addition, Karua emphasized ODM’s participation in crucial parliamentary oversight committees such as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Investments Committee.
She questioned whether ODM, whose members receive government posts, could successfully keep the government accountable. According to Karua, this circumstance has considerably undermined their political connection, demonstrating that they no longer have the same vision for the opposition’s role in the administration.
“Public accounts committee and Public Investment Committee hizo ni zile watchdog committees, audit committees, sasa ODM inaweza kujiaudit ikiwa ndani ya serikali?,” Karua posed.
“Chair wa kamati akiwa ni wa ODM ata audit Oparanya, Joho na Opiyo Wandayi? Kwa hivyo uhusiano wa kisiasa umepunguka.” She also eliminated the notion of backing Raila if he launches his candidacy for president in 2027, saying that he is welcome to join the opposition if he so chooses.“Sioni hiyo ikifanyika akija yeye ni mkenya kama sisi ata Ruto akija naaseme amewacha tabia zake bado ni Mkenya mlango itafunguliwa lakini kupeperusha bendera hilo naona ni swala ambalo halita wezakana,” she added.
