The line between the executive and the opposition has completely blurred as Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi, Hassan Joho, and Opiyo Wandayi unapologetically champion the Orange Democratic Movement's partisan agenda.

The concept of a "broad-based government" has morphed into a political spectacle. In recent weeks, the trio of ODM-affiliated Cabinet Secretaries has dominated the public sphere, not through groundbreaking policy announcements, but by their fervent participation in party rallies and strategic ethnic mobilisations.

This unprecedented blending of ruling government authority with opposition party loyalty is fundamentally altering the political landscape of Kenya, raising critical questions about collective cabinet responsibility.

The Orange Wave in Cabinet

The visual messaging has been unmistakable. Over recent weekends, Mining CS Hassan Joho and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi were prominently featured at political rallies donning the signature orange colours of the ODM party, resembling party youth wingers more than state executives.

Simultaneously, Treasury CS John Mbadi hosted a highly publicized delegation of Luo elders at his official offices, openly discussing the internal dynamics and future strategy of the ODM party amidst the critical national budget-making process.

A Regulatory Tightrope

This behaviour places President William Ruto in a complex political and regulatory tightrope. While the inclusion of opposition figures in the cabinet was designed to quell national unrest, their continued allegiance to their political bases undermines the legal requirement for civil service neutrality.

The administration must balance the political capital brought by these figures against the legal and ethical implications of their partisan conduct.

• The continued involvement in ODM politics threatens to alienate core Kenya Kwanza loyalists within the government.
• Policy decisions emanating from the Treasury and Energy dockets risk being viewed through a lens of partisan appeasement.
• The Law Society of Kenya has raised concerns regarding the potential misuse of public office for political mobilization.

The Future of the Alliance

As Raila Odinga focuses on his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship, his lieutenants within the cabinet are aggressively positioning themselves to inherit his political base.

This internal jockeying ensures that the corridors of power will remain highly politicized, potentially stifling decisive governance and economic reform in the run-up to the next electoral cycle.

"A government cannot serve two masters; the theatre of politics must not eclipse the solemn duty of national administration."