The United Progressive Alliance (UPA), one of the parties in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition and associated with former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i will not participate in the mass action called by Mr Raila Odinga or any of his plans to pressure the government.
The Party, which has its roots in Gusii, has instead pledged to work with President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza administration, its officials told the Nation on Wednesday.
The move may deny Mr Odinga and his brigade the momentum they need for mass action to kick off in the region.
Speaking to the Nation after holding its first-ever meeting since after elections, party leader Mr Amos Nyaribo, who is also the Nyamira Governor, said although they have not ditched Azimio, they are keen to work with the current government for the greater good of Kenyans.
Mr Nyaribo met with UPA elected and nominated leaders at Kamel Park Hotel in Kisii on Monday where he spelt out the party’s agenda going forward.
The party, which was launched towards the 2022 General Election, bagged seats among them the Nyamira governor, Bonchari MP and about 20 members of Nyamira and Kisii county assemblies. In Nyamira, UPA is the majority party.
“It is true we held a meeting on Monday with elected leaders. But I want to make it clear that we have not joined Kenya Kwanza and we will not fold to join the United Democratic Alliance. But we have decided to work with the government of the day,” said Mr Nyaribo.
He added that they were observing how the ruling government will treat them going forward which will determine their future decisions.
Sources told the Nation that at the Monday meeting, it was agreed that they tone down their criticism of the government.
“We were asked to go slow on fighting the government of the day. We were told to support it in its development agenda,” said a source who attended the Monday meeting.
The source further informed that following the new resolutions, the elected leaders will not participate in the mass action called by Mr Odinga on March 20, 2023.
