
Opiyo Wandayi Responds To Cashing In On Gen Z Protests For CS Position
James Opiyo Wandayi, the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary nominee, denied on Saturday that he took advantage of the aftermath of the Gen Z protests to apply for the strategic cabinet position.
Wandayi clarified to the National Assembly’s Appointments Committee that his name had been put forward for the cabinet position by someone else.
According to the former National Assembly Minority Leader, despite his cabinet nomination, he continued to support the issues raised by anti-government protesters.
Wandayi noted that the issues raised by the youths were critical and required an immediate response from the government.
Opiyo Wandayi: It is not proper to say that we have taken advantage of the Gen Zs clamor to get into government. I never applied to join the Executive but I was pleasantly surprised and felt greatly honored that my name was recommended. We are not in any way in betrayal of the… pic.twitter.com/yDVFjYB3ms
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 3, 2024
Despite his support for Gen Z, Wandayi noted that some of the issues raised by the protesters were similar to those previously raised in the National Assembly.
“The youths were not raising any different issues that we were raising in parliament, but the issues they were raising were pertinent issues that must be addressed,” Wandayi clarified.
“Therefore it is not proper to say that we took advantage of the Gen Z clamour. I never applied to join the executive, but I was pleased that my name was recommended,” he added.
The former legislator praised the Head of State for nominating him to cabinet, emphasizing the importance of balance in government appointments.
“I still maintain the view that we are not in any way in betrayal of the youth. We are coming on board in a paradigm shift. We are living in different times,” the CS nominee told the committee.
President William Ruto nominated Wandayi as one of four Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party officials for the position of cabinet secretary.
He was nominated with John Mbadi (Treasury), Hassan Joho (Mining), and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).
Following his appointment to the cabinet, Wandayi recently announced his intention to resign from his parliamentary position, clearing the way for new elections.
Opiyo Wandayi Responds To Cashing In On Gen Z Protests For CS Position