Kalonzo Unveils Plans to Strengthen Azimio, Bringing in New Parties

A photo collage of party leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Raila Odinga (ODM), and Martha Karua (NARC Kenya).
A photo collage of party leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Raila Odinga (ODM), and Martha Karua (NARC Kenya).
Kenyans.co.ke

Kalonzo Musyoka has revealed that plans are underway to expand the opposition.

While speaking on November 13, the former Vice President announced that the Azimio coalition is looking forward to engaging with like-minded individuals and political parties in a bid to solidify the opposition.

“There is a need to consolidate the opposition in Kenya. We will talk to everybody going forward so that we build a strong coalition,” Kalonzo claimed.

The Azimio co-principal also disclosed that the coalition will kickstart the process of validating the membership of parties and individuals to strengthen the opposition. He added that this will also make it easier for parties to join or depart the opposition as they please.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leaders during a summit meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leaders during a summit meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Photo
ODM

“A time is coming when we will ask everybody to validate their membership in Azimio and expand. Others come, others leave,” he added.

In July, Martha Karua, a principal in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, with her NARC party, left the coalition.

Kalonzo’s remarks came in the wake of Moses Kuria’s comments that a national coalition was brewing in the run-up to the 2027 General Elections. Kuria, a senior advisor in the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) made the comments at a thanksgiving ceremony of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chair Gladys Wanga.  

“What I can see is that in 2027, a new nationalist movement, same as the 2002 rainbow movement, is loading and those with brains should join because they are people who will weep from outside,” Kuria predicted.

On the other hand, ODM leaders denied claims that it had entered into an agreement with the ruling Kenya Kwanza government. Led by Wanga, they claimed that ODM was still an opposition party. 

“Let me make it clear that we have no coalition agreement with Kenya Kwanza. For you to merge, there must be an agreement, a memorandum saying who will do what,” she asserted.

The same sentiments were shared by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who recently announced that ODM has neither joined nor entered any political alliance with Ruto.

Raila dismissed rumors suggesting that ODM had aligned itself with the government, calling them baseless misinformation. “I want to be on record. There is no such alliance, as ODM has not entered into any political coalition with President William Ruto’s government,” Raila reaffirmed.

William Ruto Raila Odinga
A photo collage of President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. PHOTO/ William Ruto.
Facebook