Senator Onyonka Affirms He Will Not Join Govt

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka speaks during a rally in Kisii County on March 7, 2023.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka speaks during a rally in Kisii County on March 7, 2023.
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Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, an ardent critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, vowed he would never accept a job offer from the government.

Speaking in an interview on a local radio station on Thursday, the senator criticised leaders in the opposition who joined the government turning their backs on the citizens of the country.

In response to a question, Onyonka flat-out stated that at the current time, he would not take a job from President Ruto's regime.

“I can’t join (the government) because the things I will tell the president, he will not like them,” Onyonka explained.

Richard Onyonka Raila Odinga
ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga receives Richard Onyonka at the Chungwa House party headquarters in November 2021
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ODM

The Senator, who participated in the release of the contentious Adani-JKIA takeover deal documents, affirmed that he will continue to oversight the government.

Despite being a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the senator noted that he would not tear the party line in blindly supporting the government.

“I will stay in the opposition. I respect our party leader Raila but as for me, I’ll continue oversighting the government,” he affirmed.

“I was not elected to come and clap for the government when it brings bad policies.”

Onyonka emphasised that he would rather remain in the opposition rather than betray people who elected him.

Unlike other politicians, the Senator clarified that he did not go to the Senate to endorse policies the government brings forth without thorough scrutiny.

The senator also weighed in on ODM leaders who were appointed into government. “Some of our friends now say the government is good because they got into it. It seems the government is bad if you are out of it,” he criticised.

The senator vowed to continue calling out the government and leaders when wrong. He particularly called out the government to come clean and explain the details of the Adani deal which he noted is shrouded in secrecy.

Deputy President William Ruto is received by Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka (Far right) and Former Kisii County Deputy Governor Joash Maangi (left) at a prayer service in Bobasi, Kisii County on November 28, 2018
Deputy President William Ruto is received by Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka (Far right) and Former Kisii County Deputy Governor Joash Maangi (left) at a prayer service in Bobasi, Kisii County on November 28, 2018
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