Raila defends ODM members in government, calls for patience
He described them as "experts donated to government," emphasizing their role in driving positive change.
ODM leader Raila Odinga came to the defense of party-affiliated leaders currently serving within President William Ruto’s administration.
While addressing delegates at the opening of the 42nd Annual Seminar of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) in Mombasa, Raila called for patience, urging Kenyans to give the professionals seconded from ODM time to implement reforms.
He described them as "experts donated to government," emphasizing their role in driving positive change.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has assured Kenyans that visible reforms will begin taking shape once Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi delivers his maiden budget next month.
Addressing participants at the 42nd ICPAK Annual Seminar in Mombasa, Raila pointed to the Housing Levy as one of the key areas set for immediate restructuring—transforming it into an investment scheme that guarantees contributors a refund if they don’t receive housing.
Raila reminded the accountants that ODM-affiliated leaders only joined the government in July last year and are now preparing their first full financial plan.
"This is not instant coffee—you don’t just brew and drink. Let Mbadi table his budget and you’ll see the difference," he said.
Responding to questions on the pace of reforms, the former Prime Minister, who was the event’s Chief Guest, urged patience and trust in the team’s vision.
On resource allocation, Raila renewed his call to scrap the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), insisting such funds should be channeled directly to counties.
“There’s no reason for the national government to build roads in counties while governors lack funds for basic infrastructure,” he said, adding that institutions like KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA were useful before devolution but should now cede some roles to county administrations.
