Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau expressed willingness to work with the government as cracks within the Azimio coalition deepen.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, February 8, Makau stated that there was no clear motive for the ongoing rallies, led by Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The lawmaker, a close ally of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka called on the former Vice President to explain why they had to participate in Azimio’s protests.
“Carrying out demonstrations is right for every citizen. If you feel like the government is not delivering like it is supposed to, you have the right to do so.
We have been called for rallies by the Azimio team but we have not been given the reason why we are doing so that's why we are saying we want a clear direction. We want our leaders to tell us why we are joining them and how we will benefit from it,” he stated.
He added that he would only join the protests if he came into an agreement with what Kalonzo would tell him.
Makau noted that he had the right to work within the government of President William Ruto in developing the nation.
“If we will be into an agreement we will join them to force the gov work as it should. However, as a leader elected by Mavoko, I have the freedom to talk with the current government for the development of my people.
For the five years, I have as MP if I fail to work with the Kenya Kwanza government I will fail my people and it is wise to sit and come to a consensus with the government,” he added.
Wiper is one of the major Azimio’s constituent parties alongside Jubilee Party (JP), Orange Democratic Party (ODM), Kenya African National Union (KANU), National Alliance Rainbow Coalition (NARC) and National Alliance Rainbow Coalition- Kenya (NARC-K).
His remarks came hours after some legislators from the Jubilee party announced that they had made a decision to work with Ruto.
On February 8, a statement from the State House announced that the meeting touched on involvement in development as elected leaders. The MPs acknowledged their close ties with the President Ruto-led faction and affirmed that they had only "returned home".
Balambala MP Omar Shurie led the members in the Wednesday meeting, alongside Eldas MP Adan Keynan, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, former Murang'a Women Representative Sabina Chege and East African Legislative Assembly member, Kanini Kega.
Also present were Senator Margaret Kamar (nominated), Veteran Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai, John Waluke (Sirisia), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West) and Samuel Arama of Nakuru West, Irene Njoki (Bahati), Sarah Korere, David Kiaraho (Ol Kalou), Zachary Kwenya (Kinangop), Shadrack Mwiti (South Imenti), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Daniel Karitho (Igembe Central), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), and Joseph Githuku (Lamu).
Nominated MP John Mbadi also confirmed that he would resign from his position as the Chairman of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party.
Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando formally applied to leave Narc Kenya Party headed by Azimio principal Martha Karua.
In a statement on Tuesday, February 7, he noted that he no longer identified with the politics within the opposition coalition including that of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Odinga is staring at a possible fallout within the Azimio coalition as Ruto's onslaught on the opposition intensifies. The former PM is set to hold a crisis meeting in the wake of his allies trooping to State House.
The visit by Jubilee MPs to the house on the hill came a day after a host of ODM MPs met Ruto and agreed to work together.
