Moi, Mudavadi, Kalonzo, Wetangula now unveil One Kenya Alliance

A new political formation dubbed the ‘One Kenya Alliance’ was on Thursday unveiled by four key political leaders.

The political alignment brought together KANU National Chairman Gideon Moi, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula.

The four, in a press address read by Wetangula at a city hotel, said the alliance aims at delivering a transformative agenda for the country.

They termed the state of the country’s current politics as toxic, adding that they will seek at presenting Kenyans with a fresh alternative.

“Today, we mark the beginning of a journey with a clear purpose to unite this country through a transformative agenda that seeks to create equal opportunities for all Kenyans. This alliance is a breath of fresh air from the toxic and divisive politics this country has witnessed in the recent past,” said Wetangula, who also doubles up as the Bungoma Senator.

The alliance congratulated the winners of the recently held by-elections allied to them, among them new Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu Muthama, saying these were signs that Kenyans are ready for what they termed transformational leadership.

“The election of Senator Kavindu has elevated the Senate of Kenya to achieve the two-thirds gender parity rule. Therefore, we’re proud that Senator Kavindu is a product of this alliance, which strongly believes in supporting and strengthening women’s participation in elective politics and governance in our country,” added Wetangula.

Mudavadi, on his part, stated: “We want Kenyans to have hope. During these hard economic times, it is important that we rally together as Kenyans so that going into the future, we can work hand in hand collectively to deal with the challenges that we face.

It is for this reason that we are taking these initial steps to bring the country together under the umbrella of ‘One Kenya Alliance’ so that we can have a common objective. We stand here to tell Kenyans that if you thought there was no alternative, please start putting in your minds that there is an alternative of hope in this country.”

The leaders expressed solidarity with Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala condemning his recent removal as the Senate Deputy Minority Leader.

They termed the move as retaliatory towards their recent victories in the Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections, however heaping praise on Senator Malala telling him to stand firm.

“This alliance condemns the ousting of Senator Cleophas Malala of Kakamega as the deputy minority leader in the Senate by a section of members without any consultation on a matter that should’ve been properly canvassed. These sideshows will not derail our focus, and therefore we encourage Senator Malala and other members of this alliance to remain solid, focused, and committed to the ideals of the alliance,” said Wetangula.

Mudavadi chimed in: “We stand with Senator Malala. In politics, these are some of the sacrifices that are made to underpin the need for justice, freedom, democracy. We must move away from the politics of blackmail, what we’re seeing in the incident of Malala is somebody trying to blackmail Kenyans. This will not work. Let us be prepared, as a Kenyan people, to compete.”

Kalonzo, on his part, said: “Senator Malala has stood out as one of the most promising young Kenyan leaders, I saw him on the ground in Matungu, he’s fearless. Why should anybody be punished for being straight and fearless?”

The four leaders also vowed to pull their candidates out of the remaining by-elections such as in Bonchari Constituency and Garissa Senate in favour of Jubilee Party candidates.

According to Baringo Senator Moi, Jubilee Party is a friend of the One Kenya Alliance hence the move is a form of “reciprocation” for their partnership.

“The reciprocation we’re going to give Jubilee is in return for what they have done for us. We’ve got candidates in different by-elections which we’ve all agreed as one alliance that we’re going to pull them out in order to give the Jubilee Party a headstart and a sure win in those by-elections because Jubilee is part of the One Kenya Alliance,” said Moi.

“This alliance will not field candidates in the Garissa Senatorial contest following the demise of our senior leader Senator Yusuf Haji. This alliance will not field a candidate in Juja or Bonchari…we will support and campaign for Jubilee,” added Kalonzo.

They pledged to hit the road and traverse the country with an aim of popularising the alliance as well as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) once the COVID-19 restriction measures are eased by the government.