On Thursday, November 13, local newspapers highlighted new political changes as the ODM party prepared to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Mombasa amid claims that the celebrations would signal a new alliance.
Source: UGC
1. Daily Nation
According to this newspaper, at least 70% of Kenyan delegates will soon be required to be career diplomats if the new law before Parliament is passed.
The remaining 30 percent will be political appointees, but they must have significant experience in diplomacy and international relations.
The Foreign Services Amendment Bill, 2025, sponsored by Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna Ngusya, seeks to amend the Foreign Services Act to increase specialization in diplomatic appointments.
If passed, it would end the long-standing practice of appointing political allies or electoral losers as ambassadors, high commissioners, or permanent representatives.
The proposed law is in line with Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025 on Kenya’s Foreign Policy, which recommends that 70% of diplomatic appointments come from career diplomats. The bill is currently under preliminary investigation.
On Tuesday, November 10, the Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee of Parliament, chaired by Nelson Koech, met to discuss the Bill.
The committee will receive input from the Attorney General’s office and the Law Reform Commission of Kenya before developing the law.
2. The Standard
The newspaper reports that the recent abuse of Kenyans in Uganda and Tanzania has led to strong criticism against the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. Stay Mudavadiwith analysts citing him as one of the weakest foreign policy handlers in Kenyan history.
Since President William Ruto’s administration took office, Kenyans have reportedly suffered harassment and abuse in neighboring countries with little protest or diplomatic action from Nairobi expected.
Historian Macharia Munene said Mudavadi’s inaction showed Kenya’s failure to protect its citizens abroad, a duty expected of every member state of the United Nations.
Political analysts, including Professor Gitile Naituli, claimed that Mudavadi’s performance has been poor compared to former Minister Amina Mohammed, who built strong international relations during the presidency of the President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Analyst Martin Andati gave Mudavadi a score of five out of ten, only slightly higher than his predecessor Alfred Mutua.
Critics accused Mudavadi of being slow to respond to the arrest of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo in Uganda, who were released after 39 days reportedly following the intervention of former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
They said Mudavadi’s preference for quiet diplomacy did not yield results.
Concerns have also increased about the death of Kenyan teacher John Okoth Ogutu in Tanzania and the lack of government support for his family.
Professor Munene warned that Kenya risks being seen as a “client nation” unable to defend its citizens, while Naituli accused the Ruto government of participating in silence.
3. The Star
According to the newspaper, the former Vice President Rigathi Gachagua is facing increasing challenges in his quest to unify the Mt Kenya region under the Democratic Party for the People (DCP), while former president Uhuru Kenyatta is returning to radical politics through the revived Jubilee Party.
After almost two years of political silence, Uhuru has re-emerged, leading Jubilee’s grassroots revival and national membership campaign ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His new activity is already attracting candidates and reviving support in Mt Kenya, threatening Gachagua’s influence and his plan to strengthen the region behind the DCP.
Political observers say Uhuru’s return could change Mt Kenya’s political landscape and weaken Gachagua’s bargaining power within the opposition, especially as Jubilee and other anti-Ruto parties explore coalition talks.
Reports suggest that Gachagua has recently put aside his 2027 presidential ambitions, opting instead to negotiate a major power-sharing deal with the Wiper leader. Kalonzo Musyoka.
Gachagua has urged the residents of Mount Kenya to support one political system to avoid division, warning that a divided loyalty could repeat past political mistakes.
However, Uhuru’s allies say that Jubilee’s restructuring is a national effort, not a regional power struggle.
Jubilee deputy leader Joseph Manje said the goal of the former president is to rebuild the party more in Central Kenya, adding that it remains the largest political movement with more than seven million members.
Analysts, including Professor Peter Kagwanja noted that Gachagua’s drive to rule faces limits in an area that values political pluralism.
They warned that Uhuru’s political experience, networks, and financial power could complicate Gachagua’s efforts.
“Jubilee has a good record and a national reach that DCP does not have. Uhuru is pushing national politics, not ethnic conflict. The idea of one regional party creates a dictatorship in an area that is usually led by councils of elders. Mt Kenya is democratic. The call for one party also reveals selfishness. Why doesn’t Gachagua say, ‘Let’s all join Jubilee, DP or PLP?'” Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu said.
4. Nation Today
According to the Kiswahili newspaper, preparations are underway in Mombasa county, where the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is expected to celebrate its 20th anniversary this week.
The event will bring together senior party leaders and founding members who played an important role in shaping its history.
One of the pioneers expected to attend is Jane Wangui Muringi, who served as ODM’s first Secretary General after its official registration following the 2005 referendum.
Although little known within the current ODM leadership, Muringi’s involvement dates back to the party’s formative days under former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga.
Muringi remembered the night Raila visited him at his home in Dandora. He said political strategist Tony Gachoka called him that evening, asking him to go out despite the night hours.
When he did so, he found a luxury car waiting for him and was surprised to find Raila sitting inside.
He expressed concern as they drove through parts of Nairobi, including Kibra, while Raila explained why he was looking for him.
According to him, Raila told him he needed him because he already had a registered political party, which he co-owned with lawyer Mugambi Imanyara.
Imanyara later confirmed that Muringi was the first Secretary General of ODM before being replaced by Tony Chege.
Muringi said Raila had asked him to state his price for transferring the party to his team, but he refused any financial or political reward. Instead he told her he wanted to work with her for a change.
The next day, they met again and formalized the transfer, thus paving the way for the emergence of ODM as a major political force.
Muringi later joined the party’s National Executive Council as Special Program Secretary.
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