Kalonzo-led Azimio faction vows not to join Ruto talks team

A faction of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party led by Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka now says it will not join the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity.

Addressing the press on Friday, Kalonzo said the faction would not be part of the dialogue proposed by President William Ruto to quell the tension witnessed in the country.

He argued that any participation amounts to a betrayal of the Kenyan youth who have continuously voiced their rejection of the said dialogue over the past few weeks through their anti-government demonstrations.

“We shall not participate in or support the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity. This is a betrayal of the Kenyan people, particularly Gen Z and millennials, who have paid the ultimate price to rid this country of the disastrous Kenya Kwanza regime, their harsh taxes (Finance Bill 2023/2024), corruption, tribalism, unemployment, and the continued high cost of living,” he said.

The split faction of Azimio also distanced itself from any affiliated party that would go ahead and join the government-led dialogue team, emphasising that they would be doing so in their own individual capacities.

“Should any of our members opt to join the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity, we shall not be a party to that decision; they will be joining in their individual capacity, not on behalf of Azimio,” he added.

Kalonzo went ahead to note that mandate of the opposition is to represent the voices and needs of the people, not those of the government.

In regard to the current state of affairs in the Cabinet, the Wiper boss pointed out that little was bound to change with a new Cabinet unless the current regime considers the proposal of Azimio chief Raila Odinga to initiate a convention that forges a way forward for the country instead of a dialogue.

"As long as the Kenya Kwanza regime remains in place, absolutely nothing will change. Unless the new Cabinet takes place after Raila called a convention, not a dialogue, then there can be engagement in regard to interim arrangements of a transitional government of national unity, following resolutions of a convention," he said.

The statement comes amidst reports of a split within the opposition faction, with some members said to be keen to on joining the government-led talks.