Azimio leader on Thursday, February 9, cautioned Members of Parliament who have pledged to support the Kenya Kwanza government.
While addressing a Parliamentary Group meeting in Machakos County, Raila warned the leaders against taking part in what he termed as political prostitution.
He told Azimio MPs to stick to their cause of fighting for justice and avoid hiding behind the quest for development to sabotage plan by the coalition.
"The Members of Parliament who defected need to resign and go, and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate" Raila ordered.
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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader asked the lawmakers who recently met President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi to leave their parties under the umbrella of Azimio La Umoja.
“Very cheap, unprincipled for a political party to say after the election you are now resigning and going to join the coalition that you ran against. That is political prostitution,” Raila cautioned.
According to Raila, the Members of Parliament who met President William Ruto are self-seeking individuals who must be rejected by their voters at all cost.
“On what basis did UDM resign to go to the other side, even before the speaker was elected. What is now more attractive in Kenya kwanza than Azimio? Political prostitution must be condemned.” Raila asserted.
However, Wiper Party Leader Kalozo Musyoka begged Raila to forgive Jalang'o, who he also accused of going against coalition wishes and political stand.
"You cannot cannibalise democracy in this country, not under the 2010 constitution. When someone wants to say sorry, please don't throw them out," Kalonzo noted.
However, the attendees protested Kalonzo's comments, but the Wiper leader stood his ground that Jalang'o should be given a second chance by the ODM Party.
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, President William Ruto met Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent) Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.
The leaders met Ruto despite Raila declaring that he did not recognise the Kenya Kwanza leader as the legitimate President of the Republic of Kenya.
At the Azimio Parliament Group, leaders from constituent parties also called on their members to respect the coalition positions, and desist from taking part in Kenya Kwanza affairs.
In the same Parliament Group meeting, Lang'ata MP Felix Oduor (Jalang'o) was kicked out after appearing at the meeting that was attended by top ODM, DAP-Kenya, Jubilee, Wiper and NARC Kenya bosses.
The National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi previously told the media that no disciplinary action would be taken against the MPs who met President Ruto at State House.
“We have no intention of punishing anyone at the Azimio parliamentary group meeting. We have invited everyone including Jubilee members. We don’t want to whip anyone,” he explained.
