Azimio-One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has betrayed Kenyans after siding with Kenya Kwanza government, this is according to Martha Karua.

The Narc-Kenya Party leader has downplayed the deal between President William Ruto and Raila to form a “broad-based government” as unconstitutional.

The deal saw four key leaders of Raila’s ODM Party nominated to Cabinet by President Ruto, with Karua rendering the whole process “illegal”.

She also opined that President Ruto missed the whole point from the recent anti-government protests organised by Kenyan youth (Gen Z) and disregarding their grievances centred around good governance.

“Whereas the Gen Z have been asking for transparency and accountability, these appointments have lowered the bar because they seek to violate the design of the Constitution, they also seek to lower the bar on accountability,” Karua said in an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, August 6 night.

‘ODM should relinquish opposition’

Since ODM has decided to work with Ruto’s government, Karua insists that the party should relinquish its position as an opposition majority party, to pave way for other Azimio affiliate parties to take over the role of holding the government to account.

“ODM within Azimio was the leading Opposition coalition party and Azimio was the minority party. When ODM enters government and seems to deny through its party leader, then it wants to have its cake and eat it because it is going to be part of government and continue to hold minority seats that should be held by the next largest party, such as Wiper.”

Karua: I would have rejected

Karua, who was Raila’s presidential running mate in 2022 elections, said she was not approached to join President Ruto’s new Cabinet. But she insisted that she would have turned down the offer anyway.

According to the former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, President Ruto likes to micromanage, insisting that his appointees are only ceremonial.

“I wouldn’t work for William Ruto. Whatever changes and whatever quality of people he gets, he’s the minister for everything, he will not let anybody work. I have the experience of working with these people in Parliament,” Karua said, adding, “I know at least Raila is easy to work with; you can differ, but you can sit across the table and discuss it.”