A day after President William Ruto appointed key leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to the Cabinet, three principals from the Azimio coalition convened yesterday to discuss the coalition’s future in the absence of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
During a press conference following their meeting, Kalonzo Musyoka, Jeremiah Kioni, and Eugene Wamalwa expressed their commitment to continue their efforts while wishing Raila and his allies well in their new alliance with the Kenya Kwanza government.
They also proclaimed Kalonzo as the de facto leader of Azimio and wished Raila success in his pursuit of becoming the next African Union Council chairman.
“We know that the Right Honourable Raila Odinga’s quest for the African Union Commission leadership will enter a critical stage beginning next month. We all wish him luck as he prepares to take on continental duties. We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our leader, (Odinga) who has led our coalition successfully since its formation,” the Azimio leaders said joint statement that was led by Kioni.
As Raila prepares to exit local politics, his colleagues in Azimio are fronting Musyoka to take up the mantle and guide the alliance moving to the 2027 general elections.
“As you have witnessed in the recent past, His Excellency Kalonzo Musyoka has continued to lead us while Raila has been out seeking for the leadership of the African Union. We continue to ask him to guide us as a coalition even as Raila gets to enter the critical stage of his bid for the AUC,” Kioni said.
He added: “May I also say tell Kenyans that you are looking at the alternative government. What is before you today and many others will be joining us and the ones who will be forming the government because Ruto has completely failed in any attempt that he has made.
Neither Raila Odinga nor any other ODM leaders attended the press conference held yesterday at the SKM Command Centre. The leaders criticized President Ruto, stating that he is undermining multiparty democracy with his recent decision to nominate four leaders from the ODM party, a key member of the Azimio coalition. They asserted that Ruto’s actions are intended to suppress the opposition and exert control over the parliamentary system governing the country.
“Ruto is working to silence the voices of the opposition, both inside and outside of parliament. He has continued the cannibalization of political parties. After doing this to Jubilee in the past, targeting ODM contradicts the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Kenya,” the Musyoka faction stated in their remarks.
They also condemned President Ruto for disregarding the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee report concerning the independence of political parties.
