Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has pleaded with aspirants allied to Azimio la Umoja movement not to ditch his party.
Speaking while joining forces with Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani's Upya Party on Wednesday, January 19, the former Premier noted that he had hatched a plan to expand the movement.
He urged the politicians, most of whom are affiliated to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Jubilee Parties to remain united in Azimio.
He further noted that he was banking on the Political Parties Bill, which is currently in the Senate, to allow Azimio la Umoja admit both political parties as well as individuals to run on its ticket.
"Now we want to work together and agree that Upya will come. We have ODM and Jubilee but we are now bringing other parties.
"Once the Bill goes through Parliament, and is registered, we will be able to bring parties and even individuals can come and run direct as Azimio. You can come as Upya Azimio, ODM Azimio and Jubilee Azimio. I have been telling people, 'let us bring and unite our people,'" he explained.
Speaking at the event, Yattani expressed his interest to join the Azimio la Umoja movement noting that his party was ready to party with the ODM leader in whichever formation he deems fit.
"We wish to join with whatever political formation you come up with and we want to clearly state that this is where we have stake and a space on the high table," he assured.
This comes after ODM and Jubilee Party recorded notable exits from the two parties with the most affected being Jubilee, headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Jubilee has seen politicians such as Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Laikipia Women Rep Cate Waruguru and all the leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto leave the party.
Waiguru and a good chunk of former Jubilee Party Allies then joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) headed by the DP.
In November 2021, a number of ODM officials in Kibra Constituency also made the switch to UDA.
"Secretary-General Veronica Maina receives ODM officials from Kibra Constituency who defected to UDA. They endorsed UDA's hustlers' empowerment agenda that they said resonates well with Kibra residents," the party announced at the time.
