ORPP Deals Ruto First Blow Minutes After Talks With Raila Collapsed

by Mark Obar on Tuesday, 25 April 2023 - 4:52 pm

Photo collage between President William Ruto and Azimio Principal Raila Odinga

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PCS/Raila Odinga

The Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu on Tuesday, April 25, clarified that her office does not have any coalition agreement linking Kenya Union Party and Jubilee Party to Kenya Kwanza Coalition.

Nderitu stated that she is committed to the institutionalisation of the political parties and coalitions, and would communicate facts based on the law.

"Reference is made to the above subject matter and the letter received on April 2, 2023, regarding the status of coalition agreement between Kenya Union Party, Jubilee Party and Kenya Kwanza Coalition.

"The office has no official record of any coalition agreement that involves Kenya Union Party, Jubilee Party and Kenya Kwanza Coalition," read the statement in part.

Chair of the Azimio bi-partisan talks team Otiende Amolo and other negotiators during a press briefing in Nairobi on April 13, 2023.

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Azimio la Umoja

The ruling came just a few minutes after bipartisan talks between Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza collapsed after they failed to agree on the inclusion of Adan Keynan and David Pkosing in the bipartisan team.

In an attempt to formally join the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, the leadership of Kenya Union Party (KUP) on Monday, April 24, initiated the process to exit the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

Through the Party Leader and former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, KUP declared support for President William Ruto and committed to work closely with his administration.

While addressing Journalists in Nairobi, the former Governor stated that his party's three-month post-election coalition agreement with Azimio la Umoja had elapsed, and that they were at liberty to exit.

“Kenya Union Party ideals and aspirations are well catered for in Kenya Kwanza Alliance, we have officially initiated the process that will enable us to leave the Azimio Coalition that we supported during the August 2022 General Election and which we feel no longer represents the interests of our people,” Lonyangapuo stated.

The Governor also took an issue with Azimio la Umoja protests which he claimed were not going to solve the issues affecting the country among them the high cost of living.

“It is very wrong for leaders elected as senators and members of the National Assembly to riot over what they term as an unfair outcome of an election that put them in office, this is ironical since if they are genuine, they should resign from their seats,” Lonyangapuo stated.

On Tuesday, April 25, Azimio la Umoja announced that it had suspended talks with Kenya Kwanza's bipartisan team over a stalemate.

According to Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo, the two teams had failed to reach a consensus with Kenya Kwanza on removing MPs Adan Keynan (Eldas) and David Pkosing (Pokot South).

"Adan Keynan, who defected to Kenya Kwanza, is not a Jubilee member. He is in Azimio Coalition - as a vice chair deputising Wycliffe Oparanya (former Kakamega governor).

"We have not had an issue of principle on Pkosing. He is a member of the Kenya Union Party (KUP), which signed a preelection agreement with Azimio," stated Amollo.