DP Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Officially Registered as a Coalition

DP William Ruto addresses Kenya Kwanza members during the signing of the coalition agreements on Tuesday, April12, 2022..jpg
DP William Ruto addresses Kenya Kwanza members during the signing of the coalition agreements on Tuesday, April12, 2022.
William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza alliance was on Sunday, May 8, officially registered as a coalition before the close of the midnight window.

Speaking during an interview, Political Parties Registrar Anne Nderitu revealed that her office had received the coalition's agreement and that of two other groupings.

Nderitu noted that the document presented by Kenya Kwanza, which incorporates UDA, ANC, Ford Kenya and the Democratic Party among others, will be scrutinized to see if they met the requirements.

Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu
Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu
File

"Yesterday (Sunday) we received three coalition agreements, one by Kenya Kwanza. We will evaluate whether they meet the threshold and communicate with them," she reiterated.

The other two coalitions are Ukombozi wa Majimbo and the Eagles National Alliance. Ukombozi wa Majimbo brings together KADU Asili, Shirikisho Party of Kenya (SPK) and Umoja Summit Party of Kenya (USPK).

Independent presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame signed a pact with Muungano Party, Agano Party, Daraja Party, Empowerment and Liberation Party (ELP), and the Justice and Freedom Party to form the Eagles National Alliance.

Nderitu also clarified the possibility of Maendeleo Chap Chap and the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) exiting the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition. She added that two parties were free to exit, provided they complied with what the coalition agreement stipulates.

"It is within their right to exit. Every coalition agreement provides for how you can join and how you can leave. They should follow what they put into writing and signed to.

"Once the request (to leave) has been put across, you refer them to the coalition and its decision-making organs. It is for them to sit down and decide on how to deal with the requests," she added.

Amid the exit request by PAA and Maendeleo Chap Chap, a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders have hinted that the two could be joining them. In a public statement, hours after midnight, Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula welcomed them to the camp.

"Congratulations Maendeleo Chap Chap and PAA political parties for joining the Kenya Kwanza Alliance Coalition. Your entry brings in additional energy and guarantees, even more, KKA’s assured victory in the August 9th General elections. Hongera!" He wrote

There has been growing disquiet in Azimio, especially with the ongoing debate around a suitable candidate to be Raila Odinga's running mate.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has stood his ground, maintaining that he will accept nothing short of a running mate slot within the Azimio camp.

The Noah Wekesa-led advisory panel is set to interview seven candidates for Raila's running mate position, with Kalonzo already having stated that he would give the exercise a wide berth.

From left Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon Moi , Uhuru Kenyatta and at the Wiper Party leader's Karen residence on March 18, 2022..jpg
From left: Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon Moi, and Uhuru Kenyatta and at the Wiper Party leader's Karen residence on March 18, 2022.
Kalonzo Musyoka