The One Kenya Alliance (OKA) is once again at loggerheads with the media over the depiction of the political outfit as a government project that is incapable of making independent decisions.
In a press release dated Monday, November 1, the OKA principals, Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, Musalia Mudavadi of ANC, Gideon Moi of KANU, and Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya, called out a section of the media for what they termed as mischievous, malicious and misleading reporting.
The statement comes after several media outlets published stories insinuating that the political outfit was being arm-twisted to support the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga.
OKA stated that the media had wrongfully suggested that its principals were repeatedly summoned by President Uhuru Kenyatta to State House in what is seen as being given political instructions on whom to back in the August 9, 2022 polls.
"We wish to state that these reports are false, malicious, misleading and mischievous, and are calculated to achieve nothing more than to ridicule our principals," the statement read in part.
In addition, OKA claims that the reporting was meant to cause despondency among its friends, supporters and well-wishers.
The principals expressly stated that they have never been summoned by President Kenyatta, adding that they attended the meetings voluntarily. They further reiterated that the meetings were held in the interest and good of the country.
Mudavadi, Wetangula, Kalonzo and the Kanu Party Leader explained that the meetings between them and the Jubilee Party Leader were held in a peaceful, cordial and respectful environment.
They also dismissed allegations that the President tried to influence their political stance or interfere with their campaigns.
"At no time has His Excellency the President attempted to influence or derail the OKA campaigns directly, through proxies or otherwise," OKA wrote.
In its defense, the political outfit clarified that its secretariat was fully in charge of its campaign strategies and is not under any undue or external influence.
OKA advised the public to desist from what is propagated by the media as they were just mere fabrications and creations of fertile minds, designed to cause disaffection and confusion.
"We wish to assure our supporters, friends and well-wishers that OKA remains focused and committed to offering the country a just, inclusive and progressive leadership," the statement concluded.
