NAIROBI, Kenya – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has openly criticized the concept of the “broad-based government” championed by President William Ruto, calling it into question during a heated exchange in the Senate on Wednesday, May 7.
The remarks came after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi failed to attend a scheduled plenary session in the Senate, leading to a public rebuke from Sifuna.
Sifuna expressed his dissatisfaction with the last-minute notice from CS Mbadi, who had informed Speaker of the Senate, Amason Kingi, that he would be unable to attend the session due to other “official engagements.”
According to Sifuna, the notice was a direct sign of disrespect to the Senate, particularly given that the Treasury CS had appeared on a popular TV station earlier that morning, just hours before the session.
“I was watching Citizen TV yesterday before the Inter Milan and Barcelona game, and I saw CS Mbadi on TV. He has time to appear before Citizen TV, but he has no time to appear before this house?” Sifuna exclaimed. “I had to switch off the interview and watch football because I was expecting him here. The issues that are important to me are the ones discussed in this chamber, not on TV.”
The outspoken ODM Secretary General made it clear that he would not defend government officials, even those within his party, for failing to honor their obligations to the public and the Senate.
“For as long as I remain the senator of Nairobi, and with the oath I took when I entered this house, there will be no minister that we will protect or babysit,” Sifuna said defiantly. “It doesn’t matter whether they come from ODM or anywhere else. They are here to serve the public, not to play games.”
Sifuna’s criticism comes at a time when the ruling government, led by President Ruto, is pushing the agenda of a “broad-based government” aimed at including various political factions in governance.
However, Sifuna and some members of the opposition have expressed concern over the government’s true commitment to inclusivity.
“I don’t know where this so-called broad-based government exists,” he remarked.
Senator Edwin Sifuna: I don’t recognise this monster called broad-based government… CS John Mbadi has all the time to attend rallies where he tells lies about economic growth but snubs senate summons
This exchange is the latest in a series of confrontations between Sifuna and members of the government.
Earlier last month, during the funeral of George Oduor, Sifuna publicly challenged President Ruto’s administration over what he described as an interference with cultural and educational expressions, including the disruption of a play performed by Butere Girls High School.
Sifuna has also consistently advocated for the party to remain independent in thought and action, rather than merely acting as a supportive arm of the government.
He cautioned against allowing the party’s core principles to be compromised in exchange for political positioning, emphasizing the importance of constructive criticism over sycophantic praise.
His role in Senate committees has been marked by vigorous questioning of government policies, often leading to tense exchanges with government officials.
This latest episode has sparked further debate on the viability and effectiveness of the “broad-based government,” with many asking whether the promises made by President Ruto during his campaign are truly being honored, or if they are simply a political tool for appeasing opposition factions while consolidating power.
