Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya faced yet another headache after Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka's supporters initiated his exit from the coalition.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Makueni MP Dan Maanzo confirmed that the party's supporters had filed a petition seeking Wiper's withdrawal from the Azimio coalition.
Maanzo added that the party would join the High Court petition as an interested party - noting that Wiper had questions on the legality of the coalition agreement.
Kalonzo and his Kanu counterpart Gideon Moi were missing during the Azimio Rally at the Kamukunji grounds, Nairobi, where flagbearer Raila Odinga was poised to announce his running mate.
The Makueni MP stated that Kalonzo dropped out of the meeting due to security concerns - citing an incident where former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was involved in an ugly clash with Azimio supporters in Mombasa.
The petition is ready to be filed by the people tomorrow morning. It is not the Wiper party but I will go to court as one of its lawyers, because I am in full support of the petition. This agreement should be impeached as it does not comply with the provision of the law and it has too many loopholes and hence cannot suffice," he added.
"We advised him not to go, how do you go to people who have a bad will on you? Yesterday they stoned Sonko, and if they had the audacity to do that then what can't they do?" The lawyer posed.
The lawmaker further disclosed that in the event that Kalonzo was not named as Raila's running mate, then the former VP will go for the presidency. He explained that the former Vice President had not officially withdrawn his candidature with the IEBC.
Images shared by Kalonzo on Sunday, May 15, showed him spending time with Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi who had initially stepped down from the running mate race and publicly endorsed the wiper leader.
The selection of Raila's number two continues to become a pain in the neck, threatening to dismantle the coalition. Initially adamant that he would not be attending the interviews with the selection panel, Kalonzo showed up on the last day with reports indicating he was convinced by President Uhuru Kenyatta to participate in the exercise.
Meanwhile in Kenya Kwanza, Deputy President William Ruto named Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate after a 17-hour-long meeting at his Karen residence.
DP Ruto explained that Gachagua narrowly beat Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, who was a favourite to clinch the seat. The Mathira MP's selection was received with ridicule in Azimio, with a section of leaders pressuring Odinga to unveil his running mate at Kamukunji.
However, the ODM leader confirmed that he would be announcing his running mate on Monday, May 16, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
