Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, has come clean over a meeting he held with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a hotel in Mombasa County on Sunday, February 20.
While addressing a rally in Kwale on Monday, February 21, Kalonzo refuted reports that the meeting was planned in advance, stating that he met with Raila by chance.
His address followed the emergence of images on social media showing the two leaders in a deep conversation, with reports indicating that the agenda of the meeting centered around a coalition agreement between Azimio La Umoja and the former Vice President.
“I went for breakfast at a hotel where Gideon Moi was and met Raila by chance. I only greeted him and had my breakfast at a separate table,” he stated.
Additionally, he blasted proponents of Azimio La Umoja for being pushy in their pursuit to have him back Raila. He stated that he would only make the decision to enter into a coalition agreement with the ODM boss at a time he would feel comfortable and after consultations.
Kalonzo also refuted reports of holding discussions with Deputy President William Ruto.
“There is no need to rush a coalition pact with Azimio. In fact, we want them to join us. We must have an honest discussion. If I meet Raila, I will ask him to support my presidential bid this time round after backing him twice.
"They are saying that Kalonzo and Gideon must join Azimio by force. Who are those saying that? We shall talk because there is no need to rush. We are not joining the other team," he stated.
Kalonzo also stated that the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) wanted to engage in talks as equal partners, insisting that Azimio should join them and not the opposite.
He accused the Azimio team of being unfair to his team, stating that they were denied access to Tononoka grounds despite applying to use the grounds on time.
During a rally in Kakamega County, Cyrus Jirongo stated that OKA was pushing the Azimio team to back one of its principals as a coalition presidential flagbearer. Jirongo stated that OKA was better placed to beat Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza team in the polls.
“As we are here as OKA, talks are ongoing with the Azimio team and we are also talking with the Jubilee Party. We shall talk to them, however, we are not afraid and nobody will bully us.
"When we sit at the negotiation table, we shall push to have the presidential candidate come from OKA,” he stated then.
