Cracks widen in Azimio as Kalonzo faction says ‘not interested' in joining Ruto Gov’t
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya co-principals
Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Jeremiah Kioni have vowed to reject any
dealings with the Kenya Kwanza administration, even as they claim that there is
a plot by President William Ruto to weaken the opposition by absorbing some of
its members in government.
This as the differences in the opposition coalition
party continued to widen following the inclusion of ODM members in the Cabinet.
Kalonzo of the Wiper party, DAP-K's Wamalwa
and the Jubilee Secretary General Kioni termed the move as motivated by
individual ambitions.
“We are not a party to it. This is an
individual approach, any person joining government should know that he or she
bears the blood of the Gen Zs killed,” Kalonzo said.
Wamalwa added: “We remain steadfast as a
coalition and we don’t support the nomination. There hasn't been any offer by
Ruto to Azimio and Azimio will not in any case accept any position from this
administration.”
“Hiyo ni matakwa yao kibinafsi. Hata wakitaka
waende wengine sisi tuna msimamo wetu,” Kioni added.
This is, even as Martha Karua's Narc-Kenya
Party formally announced its exit from the opposition outfit.
In a letter dated July 25th, 2024, the party’s
Acting Secretary General Asha Bashir made the announcement to Azimio
Secretariat Secretary General Junet Mohamed stating: “Kindly take note that our
stay in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is not tenable due to the prevailing
political developments.”
“As NARC Kenya by way of this letter, we are
giving notice to exit the Coalition as stipulated in the exit clause(s) in the
Coalition Agreement. This notice is effective from the date of this
letter."
The Azimio leaders reiterated that the
coalition will not have any cooperation with the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance,
by joining President Ruto's Cabinet.
“We have not received any Cabinet offers and
we are not interested. Do I look like I could be Attorney General?” Kalonzo
posed.
Despite the Azimio leaders pledging to
continue supporting Raila Odinga's AU Commission Chairmanship bid, they alleged
of a plot by President Ruto to weaken the opposition.
“There is a well-calculated scheme to scuttle
the opposition, we shall remain steadfast...those willing to leave can do so.
We are not interested,” Kalonzo said.
“This is not the first time they want to
divide us. Alivaamia Jubilee na alikuwa anadhani tutafunga virago vyetu twende
kwake lakini tungali hapa. Sasa amevamia ODM, kama kuna wale wataenda wataenda
tu ,” Kioni stated.
Wamalwa added, “We have made a firm decision
to fight in unison.”
Azimio leader Raila Odinga earlier on reiterated
that neither the ODM party nor Azimio has entered into any coalition agreement
with President Ruto's UDA party.
In a statement, he said: “While we extend our
best wishes to the nominees and trust that they will contribute positively to
national development, we continue to advocate for a national engagement under
the conditions we have previously outlined, including, Compensation to the
families of the victims of extra-judicial executions and persons injured by the
state since last year.”
This as a section of ODM youthful leaders led
by Embakasi MP Babu Owino opposed the party's inclusion in Ruto's Cabinet,
calling for the immediate replacement of the four nominees.
“The four should exit the party immediately!”
MP Owino said.
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