The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A day after President William Ruto delivered his State of the Nation address to Parliament, leaders from the Kenya Moja political bloc described the speech as full of falsehoods and more like a pre-election manifesto than a report on governance.
Speaking in Kisii, the MPs suggested that ODM’s participation in the broad-based government could end by March 2026.
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Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said, “I refused to listen to Ruto’s lies because I would have been enraged. How can he talk about transforming Kenya’s education system like Singapore while ignoring pressing issues in schools and universities? Private universities owe KSh60 billion, yet he talks about Singapore—does he really understand what he’s doing?”
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi added, “A President is using a State of the Nation address to launch a manifesto for re-election. Yet, some MPs cheer him on—they were clearly planted.”
The lawmakers argued that Kenya still faces major challenges in education, health, and infrastructure sectors.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba expressed surprise over claims of export growth, stating, “I was shocked when the President said our tea leaf exports have increased by 54%.”
Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi also criticized the President, saying, “He misled Kenyans, claiming that 400,000 Kenyans were sent to work in Asia. He has also mishandled the higher education funding model.”
The MPs made their remarks while attending a widow’s event at Magina Secondary School grounds. They indicated that ODM’s role in the broad-based government was under review and that continued participation was not guaranteed.
Sifuna added, “Those saying ODM is fully committed to the broad-based government should not assume they are untouchable. The President has hinted at 2027, and he has asked, ‘Who said we cannot have a presidential candidate?’”
Amisi further warned, “We will hold a state of emergency within ODM in 2026. We aim to remove ourselves from Ruto’s government—it was only the President who understood the state of the broad-based government and how to manage it.”
The statements are expected to raise tensions within ODM, which is already uncertain about its future role in the coalition government.
