Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's team has responded to demands issued by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on a potential coalition agreement ahead of the August 9 polls.
In an interview with NTV on Tuesday, March 1, newly appointed Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign spokesperson, Prof Makau Mutua, stated that the deal in question was not legally binding as the National Super Alliance (NASA) political coalition was no longer in existence.
However, he was hesitant to confirm whether he was part of the team that oversaw the signing of the agreement in 2017.
"As we know, NASA is a defunct political formation and it is no longer in existence. When I was looking at the agreement, I thought that it must have become invalid with the disbandment of NASA. That is how legal agreements work.
"I understand that it is a political season and I would like him to say that bygones are bygones and we should start talking about how to move forward," stated Mutua.
Additionally, the head of Raila's presidential campaign think tank hit out at the Wiper boss over claims that he had taken a partisan position on the agreement.
Mutua stated that he had attempted to convene a meeting between the two leaders, adding that the meetings did not take place because the former Vice President had many demands.
"I will not call him a liar but I will state that he was very economical with the truth because I have been trying to get him to the table to speak to us. Raila has been willing to speak without conditions. It is Kalonzo who has been playing hard to get," he stated.
Nonetheless, Mutua explained that Raila was willing to sign a coalition agreement with the Wiper boss. However, he stated that they would still continue with their campaigns if the Wiper leader failed to join them.
"No one is indispensable in politics. Kalonzo will be the first one to agree with that but he is a vital member of Kenyan politics. He has support all over the country and we want him to join us because we want to win with him.
"I don't think that we will lose the elections without him but we do not want to imagine that possibility. Personally, I think that Kalonzo has no other place to go other than Azimio," he stated.
According to Kalonzo, the ODM boss was to support his presidential bid in the August polls regardless of the outcome of the 2017 presidential election.
"Raila Odinga has an option of abiding by the terms of this binding agreement or has the option of choosing to act in utter defiance of the agreement and thereby compounding the trust deficit," Kalonzo stated.
