Sifuna insists he does not recognise broad-based govt
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has doubled down on his remarks of not recognising the broad-based government, stressing that the deal inked on March 7, 2025, between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga did not establish any coalition government.
Speaking on Thursday, May 8, 2025, on a live TV interview, Sifuna clarified that he remains privy to the content of the document signed, but he cannot belong to a coalition government that never exists.
The senator, while backing his claims, asserted that the president himself confirmed to the country that he only reached out to the ODM leader to help stabilize his government for the intervening period, with a government already being functional and running.
“It has been two months since the document was signed, and much has been said about what it is and what it is not. This document doesn’t establish a government,” Sifuna stated.
“In fact, the first time the president used broad-based terms was way back in July. The first ODM joined the government in July and not pursuant to this document. So, there is no government called broad-based; the government in power is Kenya Kwanza, led by President William Ruto. So when speaking about this thing called broad-based, I don’t consider the Kenya Kwanza government as a broad-based government: it is Ruto’s government.”
The senator further attributed the furore around his remarks to what he termed as a perception wall emanating from the lack of fidelity to the details of the documents.
“Sifuna did not sign this document. The signature page of the document has the president’s and Raila’s names. I know it inside and out and was there when it was being prepared. It says it is not a coalition government. This document does not form a coalition agreement between UDA and ODM,” he stated.
The senator’s assertions follow his remarks on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, on the floor of the Senate, which led to some resistance from the political divide, but more especially with members of his ODM party.
Sifuna, while slamming Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for snubbing a summon from the sessions, tore into the workings of the broad-based government.
”Let me first begin by saying this thing called broad-based government – I don’t know where it exists. Personally, I don’t recognise any entity called broad-based. There’s a government of Kenya Kwanza under the leadership of President William Ruto. Every Cabinet Secretary who serves in that government serves the Kenya Kwanza government. I want to join what Sen. Khalwale has said: that some of these individuals who joined the government recently think they are there to represent their ethnic communities,” Sifuna said.
