The Kenya Union Party (KUP) distanced itself from the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition’s planned rallies set to start on Wednesday, December 7.
KUP party leader Prof. John Lonyang’apuo addressed the media on Tuesday December 6, stating that no discussions were held prior to the planned mass action.
The former West Pokot governor stated that Azimio la Umoja One Coalition constituent parties did not approve the announced mass action.
“Kenya Union Party unequivocally disassociates itself from the planned demonstrations by the ODM Party under the gaze of collective Azimio decision,” Lonyang’apuo announced.
He insisted that there were better ways of airing grievances, dismissing the consultative meetings convened by the former Prime Minister.
"Arising thereof, today we lay bare the instrument that was meant to hold the coalition together and to guide its path forward so that Kenyans may see the deceitful nature of the current arrangement," Lonyang'apuo boldly proclaimed.
He further lamented on the manner in which East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) nominations were done claiming it was dynastic.
Odinga asked his supporters to convene at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi on December 7 and December 12, 2022, to chart a way forward on how to keep President William Ruto’s government in check.
The Azimio leader termed the meeting at the grounds as a consultative interaction to discuss the state of the nation.
The call was also fashioned to challenge the plight of four IEBC commissioners who distanced themselves from the presidential results announced by chairperson Wafula Chebukati in August, 2022.
Nationwide rallies were slated to start with the Kamukunji grounds before progressing to Mombasa, then to Nakuru and Kakamega counties.
Lonyangapuo's bold move came after individuals drawn from various political outfits in the opposition coalition were seen to grow cold feet towards the rallies.
For instance, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, on Tuesday, December 6, announced that his party would join its Azimio partners in the planned rallies contrary to earlier remarks by the party chairman Chirau Ali Mwakwere who had distanced the political outfit from the organised event.
However, Kalonzo skipped a press conference by Odinga and Martha Karua in Nairobi, where they announced that the rallies were still on.
Jubilee party’s Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni had earlier opined that the outfit would not be party to the rallies but retracted his statement pointing that the party would be open to participating if asked by Odinga.
KANU party announced its dissociation with the nationwide public rallies.
