ODM leader Raila Odinga. [Photo/ Niaje]
Despite preaching inclusion in government, the list of chosen NASA leaders in the National Assembly and Senate have exposed Raila Odinga as a politician keen to promote only members of certain tribes. The NASA line-up in both shows showed that only leaders from the Luo, Kamba and Luhya communities, where all the coalition principals come from, benefitted. MP Robert Mbui, who hails from the Kamba community, where Raila’s running mate — Kalonzo Musyoka comes from — made it to the list, by getting the position of chief whip in the National Assembly. Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, also from the region, was awarded the position of Senate chief whip. ODM chairman John Mbadi was appointed to be the leader of minority in the National Assembly, to be deputized by Ayub Savula. In the Senate, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula, a NASA principal, will be the leader of minority. He will be assisted by Siaya Senator James Orengo. Other beneficiaries include: Chris Wamalwa (deputy chief whip in the National Assembly) and Petronolla Were (deputy chief whip). The NASA leaders, who have been campaigning on the platform of inclusiveness in government, are clearly more keen to promote members of their tribe than the Jubilee Party, whose leadership in both houses represents more regions. The list, which the coalition now says is not final following heavy criticism by Kenyans online, has left out representatives from areas that have traditionally supported Raila, which include the Coast region, the Maasai, the Abagusii, Turkana among others. The Coast leaders have openly rejected the list, after they were completely excluded. When Raila was in government, especially when serving as prime minister in the coalition government with former President Mwai Kibaki, he was accused of appointing his close relatives to high positions.Raila appointed his brother, Oburu Odinga, to be an assistant minister, made his cousin Jakoyo Midiwo government chief whip, made brother-in-law, Elkana Odembo, to be Kenya’s ambassador to the United States, appointed his wife’s cousin, Agnes Nangila Odhiambo, to be the controller of budget, appointed his sister Berly Achieng to chair Kenya Railways Pension Fund, helped his wife Ida Odinga to be a member of the Maseno University Council among others. This record has made some NASA supporters to question the promise of ‘Canaan’, fearing that the ODM leader will continue to promote his family members if were to win the presidency.