UDA Senator Samson Cherargei Pushes for Raila's PM Job in Govt

William Ruto Raila Odinga
A photo collage of President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. PHOTO/ William Ruto.
Facebook

A section of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politicians have expressed the desire for Raila Odinga to occupy his former post as Prime Minister following his loss at the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship election.

Leading the pack was Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei who proposed that the government implement the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report that amended the 2010 Constitution to introduce a Prime Minister seat.

"We must now fully implement the NADCO Report by amending the constitution 2010 through creating the office of the Prime Minister (PM) and allowing Rt. Hon. Baba Raila Odinga to serve Kenyans in that capacity," Cherargei stated on Monday.

"We cannot allow such brilliant leadership and experience to go to waste the way Africa Union did it. This is the only way we can appreciate and reward him for his fight for the rule of law and democracy in Kenya."

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei at Parliament Building.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei at Parliament Buildings.
Photo
Samson Cherargei

During an interview with Citizen TV on Monday morning, Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech also discussed implementing the NADCO report to assimilate Odinga's political wealth.

In the interview, Koech referred to the implementation of the broad-based cabinet which had introduced members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as a precursor that Odinga would perform significantly well in a national leadership role.

"Raila Odinga has returned home. What will he do with his energy, wisdom, and experience? Kenya Kwanza should consider him for the position in the government. I think we, the Kenya Kwanza, should accommodate his experience, advice, and the council he will give us to help better our country and our society," MP Koech stated.

"We will probably look at the NADCO report and see what it said and it is not even about the positions for Raila Odinga. It is really about his resource as a person that he can give us as a country."

When asked if that position was the Prime Minister's position, the MP said, "Whichever position that accommodates him, we have to find it."  

Several politicians have also hailed the former Prime Minister as a pan-Africanist and termed his loss at the AUC as a loss for Africa. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua even stated that Kenya had unfinished business with the seasoned politician.

"Africa needed you (Raila Odinga) most, but God, in His own wisdom, found that Kenya, your motherland, and indeed, we Kenyans, your beloved brothers and sisters, have unfinished business with you as their coveted son as we unshackle our country from recklessness," Gachagua stated on Sunday.

Odinga, who has served in the opposition for years, received the backing of President William Ruto in his campaign for the AUC chairmanship position which he lost on Saturday, February 15. 

The new-found bromance between the two also led to the introduction of four major ODM heavyweights in President Ruto's cabinet to serve in a broad-based cabinet necessitated by the deadly Gen Z protests in June 2024.

Odinga's loss in the AUC election now places the ODM in limbo as he has previously vied for Kenyan's top job five times placing him firmly in the opposition. A recent ruling by the High Court which pronounced the Azimio la Umoja Coalition as the majority in Parliament also complicates matters further.

As the two sides continue to compete for the majority position, the President's Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria hinted on Sunday, that the war was not yet over posting, "Cometh the hour, cometh the man and woman." The post was accompanied by pictures of current Minority Leader Junet Mohammed and Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo.

An image of Nelson Koech
Belgut MP Nelson Koech speaking at a past event.
Twitter
  • . .