The Kenya Union Party (KUP) will no longer be part of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, John Lonyangapuo - the Party's leader has announced.
Speaking to the press on Friday, March 2, the former West Pokot Governor noted that the decision to decamp from Azimio was informed by the coalition's call for nationwide protests against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He stated that KUP was not ready to take part in the demos arguing that the motive was obscure and untimely in the wake of the challenges facing Kenya.
"Our contract with Azimio was terminated the instant we saw the leaders going to disrupt peace in the nation through demonstrations.
"I am going to plead with Kenyans, we already have enough problems including drought. We do not want another one taking advantage of the drought to precipitate demonstrations," Lonyangapuo stated.
In his statement, the former West Pokot Governor urged Azimio la Umoja leaders to focus on a strategy to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election instead of calling for demonstrations.
He further urged Kenyans to shun calls for mass action and instead focus on efforts to drive the economy to recovery.
"Five years are not many. I want to condemn the calls for demonstrations with the strongest terms possible.
"It is time we agreed that we lost. Let us give him (President Ruto) a chance to govern this nation. I hear we now have free fertiliser, let us utilise that to enhance production,” he stated.
Lonyangapuo's KUP became the latest party under the Azimio la Umoja umbrella to distance itself from mass action and protests called by Raila.
The former governor went low-key, opting to take a back seat in the affairs of Azimio whose leaders have been protesting against alleged electoral injustice.
Other parties that have left Azimio's side since the election of President William Ruto include the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and a section of leaders elected under the Jubilee Party.
However, an unmoved Odinga and his coalition's troops castigated the Azimio renegades stating that he was only interested in keeping loyal members.
