Kalonzo Rejects Raila’s Latest Move to Save Azimio

ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka shake hands after Kalonzo endorsed him for the presidency at Jacaranda Grounds on Saturday, March 12, 2022
ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka shake hands after Kalonzo endorsed him for the presidency at Jacaranda Grounds on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
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Kalonzo Musyoka

Wiper Party has rubbished the meeting between Azimio-One Kenya coalition Presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, and leaders of other affiliate parties who threatened to quit the coalition.

On Friday, April 8, Wiper Party officials argued that the meeting did not incorporate all parties thus they did not recognize the resolutions made.

Makueni Member of Parliament, Dan Maanzo, stated that Wiper will not be subjected to the regulations and that the parties involved were allied to Raila's party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)

Wiper argued that the other parties affiliated with Azimio do not need a seat at the negotiating table as they are aligned with ODM. 

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga uring a meeting with stakeholders in the petroleum industry at the Panafric Hotel on Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga during a meeting with stakeholders in the petroleum industry at the Panafric Hotel on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.
Raila Odinga

Maanzo added that they had not yet concluded negotiations within the coalition and they only recognised Jubilee and ODM parties as the bigwigs in the coalition.

The MP, a close ally of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, stated that their party is keen to defeat Cha Cha Maendeleo, NARC and other parties in the lower eastern region during the August polls.

Chama Cha Maendeleo party leader, Alfred Mutua and NARC's Charity Ngilu are Kalonzo's perennial rivals. 

On Thursday, Raila met Mutua, Ngilu, Nar-Kenya's Martha Karua and Muungano Party's Kivutha Kibwana who had expressed displeasure on the coalition's management.  

In the company of Royal Media Services (RMS) Chairman, S.K Macharia, the ODM boss met the parties under the Mwanzo Mpya faction, at a private meeting in Nairobi.

His campaign secretariat spokesperson, Makau Mutua, revealed that Azimio's top leadership would be expanded to include more members of the coalition.

"Raila Odinga, the Azimio presidential candidate, met with Azimio partner party leaders and representatives to foster the interests of our political movement and clarify a number of issues.

"The talks touched on inclusivity, equity, and consultation, all aimed at guiding and anchoring our coalition party ahead of the upcoming August polls. 

The leaders also resolved that the council, the top organ of Azimio be expanded to eleven members," read the statement in part.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga meeting with Mwanzo Mpya leaders in Nairobi on April 7, 2022.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (second from left) and RMS Chairman SK Macharia (third from left) meeting with Mwanzo Mpya leaders in Nairobi on April 7, 2022.
Photo: Raila Odinga