Azimio la Umoja lawmakers reportedly differed over party leader, Raila Odinga's plan to hold parallel celebrations on Jamhuri Day on Monday, December 12, 2022.
Reports alleged that lawmakers who attended the Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting on Tuesday, November 29, intimated that Raila would use the event to launch a vote of no confidence against President William Ruto.
However, a section of Members of the Parliament expressed discontent with the plan, citing concerns about its ramifications.
“The celebration would be held after the December 7 inaugural (protest) rally. However, some leaders argued that Jamhuri day was a national event that need not be interfered with," a lawmaker told Nation.
Raila and Wiper party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, who hosted the meeting at his party office in Karen, had yet to make a final decision.
The former Prime Minister has faced much resistance over his latest plans to fight President Ruto's administration.
Consequently, he abandoned several initiatives to counter the government, including naming a shadow cabinet.
Raila then cancelled the inaugural pro-Cherera 4 rally scheduled at the Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi at the last minute, posing questions as to whether he was bluffing.
Political analyst Ahmed Hashi called out Odinga for calling for mass action against the government stating that the move was premature since Ruto has only been in office for 78 days.
Hashi claimed that Odinga allowed the president to run away with his main idea which may have led to his victory in the August 2022 poll.
“This hustler message, was ODMs message, from Odinga and Anyang’ Nyong’o we had a social democratic movement that brought together a coalition,” he affirmed.
On November 29, the leader of the minority in the National Assembly, Opiyo Wandayi, clarified that the decision was reached after parents pleaded with the party to allow children to sit the national exams without disruption.
Meanwhile, Ruto was adamant that he would not condone unlawful procedures of keeping his government in check.
He categorically warned the Azimio brigade against disrupting the administration of national exams and deployed police to enhance security.
The head of state termed Raila a dictatorial opposition leader and declared that he would not be arm-twisted to appease the interests of a few individuals.
