?? Raila Facing Wrath From Peers, NTSA Goes After Matatus & PSVs

By Derrick Kubasu

Hello and welcome to the Evening Brief Newsletter where it is getting lonely at the top and, it seems, at the house on the hill as well.

1 Fun Thing: Follow the Kenyans.co.ke channel on WhatsApp here for more quizzes and quick news updates.

Also, I have been away for the past week. I am glad to peep back into your inboxes, for today.

New Alliances Mean New Rifts

Nearly a week ago, President William Ruto nominated four ODM members, Wycliffe Oparanya, Hassan Joho, John Mbadi, and Opiyo Wandayi, to join his battered Cabinet, likely signaling a good working relationship with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Despite facing stiff opposition from the public, especially Gen Z who protested Ruto's governance (and his Cabinet specifically, Raila noted that the revamped Cabinet was unveiled after the duo privately held talks.

Raila explained that he suggested that Ruto should name a new cabinet of his choosing, insisting that the opposition could only give suggestions after a national dialogue had been held and an agreement on the way forward signed.

What Raila Said: "I told Ruto the other day that since he had fired his Cabinet, he needed to put his people and that we would submit our recommendations after we have had the national dialogue. However, he told me that he wanted to be fast with the nominations as the positions could not remain vacant. So he told me that he would place his own people and then we would talk later."

The Fallout: After the unveiling, however,? the former Prime Minister was quickly forced to deal with a disintegrating opposition and the wrath of his peers in the Azimio Coalition.

• Immediately after the unveiling, Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua insisted that her stance with the people remains in place, ruling out the possibility of joining Ruto's administration. “I take the opposition. What suits me is standing with Kenyans and I will stand with them all the time but if I get the chance to serve them, I will. “I am not a contender. I will not accept a proposal that came in an unwarranted manner. But I will continue serving Kenyans in the opposition? I will still serve the nation."

• “I will not back down. I will continue expressing my political stand. If an opportunity avails itself either in government or in opposition. The engine of a revolution is always the youth, it may be led by others but it is the youth who always come to the front," Karua added.

• Today, Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, another co-principal in the opposition, issued an ultimatum to Raila to make up his mind on whether he wants to fully remain the opposition or be in the government.

• "Next Thursday, there will be a party meeting where we will decide our stance regarding our relationship with the Azimio coalition. The ODM Party has joined the government. They cannot be in government and still remain in opposition. Those of us who wish to remain in opposition must separate ourselves to continue advocating for the rights of citizens," Munya stated.

• Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, an Azimio co-principal, yesterday announced that he had directed his MPs to reject cabinet secretaries nominees from ODM.“I have given directions as the party leader to Wiper Members of Parliament that the names of the four people when brought to parliament for vetting, Wiper members vote No."

• Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, a staunch member of ODM and fierce supporter of Raila, took a diversionary route of standing with the public and has renewed his thirst to be the chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament. "I remain steadfast to stand with the People of Kenya. Those who have left the opposition to join the government, kwaherini. Aluta continua."

• Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni as well as Eugene Wamalwa, on the other hand, vowed to reject alliances with the government arguing that the appointments were likely plans to weaken the opposition. “Hiyo ni matakwa yao kibinafsi. Hata wakitaka waende wengine sisi tuna msimamo wetu."

• Siaya Governor James Orengo, who is a right hand person for the former Prime Minister, termed the nominations as an unholy union noting that they would present grave consequences in future.

• “I saw President William Ruto visit Mombasa yesterday and referred to Hassan Joho as his Cabinet Secretary. Remember when we had a coalition government with the late Mwai Kibaki, it was anchored in the constitution that he could not fire a minister without consultation with Raila Odinga. What if President Ruto wakes up and fires the CSs like he did the other day? We must not be excited at the expense of failing to check on the important aspects of these engagements,” Orengo said.

Not All Gloom: The nomination, however, received praises, some of which were from unexpected quarters like the Office of the Deputy President.

DP Rigathi Gachagua noted that he supported the President's appointment stating, "I have no objection with the new nominees and formation of a broad-based Government by the President. Let the new nominees come and we work together for the people of Kenya. As the Deputy President and Principal Assistant to the President, my work is to support him, respect and be loyal to him. I support his decisions." Gachagua was a fierce critic of Raila.

Ruto's Word: Yesterday evening, Ruto however confirmed that no coalition would be entered into between Raila and himself, in support of the former Prime Minister.?

“We did not form a coalition agreement with ODM. What we have is members of ODM who have agreed to come and work with us, so we can put the country first and be able to deal with the challenges that bring Kenya to where it is. We have no formal coalition," Ruto stated.

The alliance, however, seemingly boosted their relationship, expediting the government's support for Raila's African Union Commission's chairmanship aspirations. Raila formally filed the applications today.

As the Cabinet nominees prepare for a tough week undergoing vetting in Parliament for the positions, Kenyans.co.ke and editors of this newsletter will endeavor to cover the beat.

PSV Owners Beware

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has warned all Public Service Vehicles (PSV) that it will increase surveillance on the roads to ensure the safety of the children as schools close beginning this week.

Samuel Musumba, the NTSA Safety Manager, confirmed to me that the operation will be carried out in liaison with the National Police Service (NPS).

What NTSA is Saying: "The Road Safety Manager and Head of Safety Strategies warned illegal PSV operators saying NTSA and police will heighten surveillance to ensure safety during this season."

What is at Stake: Musumba also warned drivers about the ongoing rains and changing weather conditions which would impair the vision of motorists heading to different parts of the country.

As a result, all vehicles carrying children will be expected to be in the best condition.

Musumba called out matatu owners for putting their needs ahead of the students' safety. He warned them against overloading students which he pointed out contributes to increased accidents.

Additionally, Musumba called upon school heads to inspect the vehicles picking up students to guarantee their safety.

He also addressed concerns about students being rowdy while on these PSVs. Musumba emphasised that NTSA will be monitoring the roads to apprehend those breaking the law.

Penalty: Musumba revealed that NTSA will deal with the respective schools of each student found misbehaving on the roads as witnessed in the past.

He, also, cautioned against speeding as some drivers attempt to make extra trips to increase their income.

Here are five other stories we are keeping tabs on for you today;

1. The government reveals that Kenyans will no longer be asked to book appointments for passport collection.?
2. Ruto announces the resumption of the construction of the stalled Mombasa- Kilifi Highway in his latest charm offensive of the Coast Region. The highway is valued to set back his administration of Ksh5 billion.
3. The government announces that students seeking to join the university in September 2024 and who don't have a National Identity Card risk losing on government scholarship.?
4. My colleague Hebrews Rono tracks the names of individuals submitted to form part of the IEBC selection panel.
5. President Ruto says he has overhauled the management of the National Employment Authority (NEA).

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This newsletter was written by Derrick Kubasu and edited by Brian Muuo.

Washington Mito contributed to the content.

Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo.