Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential flagbearer, Raila Odinga, has changed tune on his six-piece voting call to the electorate to only vote for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidates in the August 9 polls.
Speaking during a rally in Trans Nzoia county, Raila declared that he was willing to compromise ODM's monopoly in the region, further asking voters to choose aspirants from Azimio La Umoja affiliate parties.
To cement his declaration and show goodwill, Raila endorsed George Natembeya of Democratic Alliance Party Kenya (DAP-K) for the gubernatorial post, a decision that saw his ODM candidate, Moses Khaoya step down.
"Azimio is a coalition of parties including ODM, Jubilee, Wiper, Narc Kenya and others but I am the only candidate under Azimio. The rest are contesting under various parties," he stated.
Raila announced that he brokered a truce between Natembeya and Khaoya with an aim of strengthening the coalition at the grassroots level.
Khaoya agreed to step down, with Raila incorporating him into his nationwide campaign team.
"In Trans Nzoia, we had Khaoya and Natembeya. I had a conversation with Khaoya and he has agreed to step down, and Natembeya is my candidate. Vote for the Azimio from top to bottom," he added.
The pronouncement comes a day after a section of ODM politicians led by Suna West Member of Parliament, Junet Mohammed, called on the people in Busia county to ensure the party secures a six-piece vote in the region.
Junet made a snide comment after activist and lawyer Okiya Omtatah, who is contesting for Busia senatorial seat, asked the crowd to only vote for Raila but kick out corrupted politicians from the ODM party in August.
"He has stated that his party is the National Reconstruction Alliance. Is that a name of a chicken or a goat? Anyway, we will know," the Legislator scoffed.
Zoning continues to be a pain in the neck for Azimio and rival Kenya Kwanza with flagbearers Raila and Deputy President William Ruto being accused of favouring their parent parties.
The calls come as various parties seek to gain more seats in the National Assembly and Senate, which would see them have more bargaining power when the new government is formed.
