Opposition ODM party Chair Gladys Wanga took a swipe at members her party for persistent onslaught on President William Ruto’s government; instead she wants them to support the so-called ‘broad-based’ government.

Wanga reminded critics of the national government that her party has signed a memorandum of understanding with the governing UDA party and that they were obliged to support the broad-based government.

Speaking on Sunday during a relief food distribution exercise in Pala Koguta trading centre in Ndhiwa constituency, the Homa Bay County chief executive told ODM members to own the MoU and work closely with the government.

She wants critics of the broad-based government – vaguely referred also as government of national unity – “to go slow in their criticism and be patient because the MoU will deliver fruits of development in its strongholds.”

Wanga said there was a difference between the “handshake government” of Uhuru Kenyatta and the current broad-based government.

“During the last regime we were promised a ‘sword of power’, which never came to fruition but in the current arrangement we have been promised development, which we are already seeing at our grassroots,” the governor said.

Her remarks come against a backdrop of persistent criticism of the broad based government by a section of party leaders despite the MoU. Former ODM National Chair John Mbadi also recently complained that some ODM members were engrossed in criticising the broad-based government unduly.

Mbadi accused ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna for persistent criticism of the broad-based government. Mbadi argued that Sifuna’s criticism risked destabilising the government’s performance.

“Mr Sifuna, I am still a member of your party. But if I fail to deliver, you will not have a reason to convince Kenyans that ODM party can form a government in future. Stop acting like our enemy,” Mbadi said.

Sifuna had maintained that he would point out any wrongdoing in government and his efforts would not be deterred by the MoU in the broad based government arrangement.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Davis Langat