Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has voiced his frustration following the acceptance of Cabinet Secretary positions by four Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members, nominated by President William Ruto.

Declaring himself the chief opposition leader, Owino vowed to continue championing the interests of Kenyans from his position in the Opposition.

“From today onwards, I am the chief opposition leader. Many who were in the Opposition are now in the government. My mission is to fight for Kenyans. It pains me to see fellow parliamentarians joining the government,” Owino asserted.

In unveiling his latest batch of Cabinet Secretary nominees on Wednesday, President Ruto appointed four ODM members: Party Chairman John Mbadi as the Treasury CS nominee, Deputy Chair Wyckliffe Oparanya for Cooperatives and MSMEs, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi for Energy and Petroleum, and former Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho for Mining and Blue Economy.

The nomination of these key allies of Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has sparked questions among Kenyans, hinting at possible fractures within the opposition coalition.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, however, has denied any alignment with the government.

“The party has not joined the government. That is a blatant lie,” he stated on Citizen Television’s Day Break Show on Thursday.

Sifuna emphasized that the party has a well-organized decision-making structure, and no part of this structure has approved joining the government.

“ODM is a movement of over five million registered members, and there is a specific process through which our party makes decisions,” Sifuna explained.

President Ruto’s strategic appointments have been seen by some as an attempt to consolidate power and weaken the opposition. The inclusion of prominent ODM members in the Cabinet has led to widespread speculation about the future direction of the party and its cohesion.