- Former CJ Willy Mutunga accused ODM of hypocrisy for condemning government actions while partnering with Kenya Kwanza
- He criticised the party’s alliance with the regime it claims to oppose, saying it undermines its social justice stance
- Mutunga challenged ODM to back its words with action, questioning why it hasn’t withdrawn from government roles
- His comments followed ODM’s sharp criticism of the state’s response to Echoes of War, which they called an assault on free expression
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi – Former chief justice Willy Mutunga has launched a scathing attack on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
The former Supreme Court president accused the party of political double-speak following its condemnation of the government’s treatment of Butere Girls High School students at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
In an explosive statement released on Thursday, April 10, Mutunga dismissed ODM’s criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s handling of the now-viral Echoes of War.
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According to Mutunga, the ODM party’s political moves by partnering with the government had betrayed its place as the proponent of social justice in the country.
Mutunga called out ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and the party’s leadership for, in his view, trying to have it both ways, speaking out against injustices while continuing to partner with the very regime they accuse of stifling free expression.
He accused the party of hypocrisy, noting that its alliance with the Kenya Kwanza government through the bipartisan framework undermines any moral authority to speak on issues of justice.
“ODM now has an unpatriotic history of reinforcing dictatorships by the so-called “coalitions”and “handshakes”. If the party is to be believed, why not withdraw its members from KK’s Government? Wacheni kufanya wananchi wapumbafu. Msimamo wa Chama tunauona kila siku,” the retired CJ stated.
Why did ODM tell off Kenya Kwanza
His remarks came after ODM criticised the government for allegedly suppressing the voices of schoolgirls through intimidation and use of force during their attempted performance of Echoes of War.
On Thursday, April 11, ODM’s Edwin Sifuna led a strong rebuke of the government, accusing it of cowardice and heavy-handedness after police reportedly tear-gassed students and journalists in Nakuru.
“The country has watched with disbelief the unfolding drama at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru, where the government has seemingly run scared of a play by Butere Girls, titled ‘Echoes of War’. It has shot itself in the foot by harassing and attempting to dim the voices of young girls in school uniform,” Sifuna said.
ODM labeled the chaos an attack on artistic freedom, education, and the constitutional right to free expression.
Koome criticises Kenya Kwanza
In a related report, Chief Justice Martha Koome has expressed profound concern over the government’s handling of the Butere Girls High School’s participation in the national drama festival, particularly regarding their play, Echoes of War.
In a statement, Koome criticised the events that unfolded during the Kenya National Drama Festival in Nakuru, where students from Butere Girls were reportedly subjected to force and denied the opportunity to perform, despite a High Court order permitting their participation.
The High Court in Kisii had earlier ruled in favor of the students, directing both the school and festival organizers to facilitate the performance of Echoes of War.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
