Nairobi: National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has said ODM grassroots leaders in Nairobi remain supportive of the broad-based government, dismissing reports of divisions within the party’s structures in the capital.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mbadi stated that the broad-based arrangement remained intact and that ODM, as one of the key political parties in the government, had a responsibility to communicate government programmes and achievements to its grassroots supporters. Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday after meeting ODM ward chairpersons, Mbadi emphasized that the engagement aimed to ensure that information on government programmes at both national and county levels reached the grassroots.
Mbadi explained that he felt there was no better way to communicate to grassroots teams than by inviting the 17 chairpersons of ODM to engage them, ensuring the message was cascaded to the grassroots. He reported that 15 of the 17 ODM ward chairpersons attended the meeting, and assured that those absent would be included in future engagements.
He highlighted that the attendance demonstrated continued support for the broad-based government and ODM’s participation in the arrangement, dismissing claims of fractures within ODM’s Nairobi structures. Mbadi asserted that the party’s grassroots machinery remained intact, especially in Nairobi, and refuted rumors of a splinter group.
The meeting brought together leaders whom Mbadi has worked with for many years, underscoring ODM as a movement with established grassroots structures. He mentioned the possibility of holding similar engagements with members of other political parties, including UDA and other groups supporting the broad-based government, to ensure their members were informed about government programmes.
Lang’ata-based ODM ward chairman Kennedy Oyugi expressed grassroots leaders’ agreement to support the broad-based government and their commitment to communicate its programmes at the constituency and ward levels. Oyugi noted that the engagement helped leaders understand the importance of ODM’s participation in government.
Rukia Abdi, another ODM leader, also affirmed support for the arrangement, indicating the grassroots leadership’s readiness to work with the government. The leaders further affirmed their support for the existing ODM party structure and its leadership.
Mbadi highlighted the significance of the engagement as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election, with political parties expected to strengthen their grassroots networks. He stated that the government would continue engaging political leaders across the political divide to communicate its development agenda to citizens.
