Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition principal Raila Odinga has refuted claims that he has been bribed to collaborate with President William Ruto in forming a government of national unity.
Odinga, who made the statement while in Dubai, described the allegations as unfounded propaganda from critics of the Azimio coalition. He affirmed his continued solidarity with Generation Z and their push for improved governance in the country.
“The idea that I have agreed to such a government is entirely false,” Raila stated. He further noted that the issues raised by the protesting Gen Zs were genuine and that the Azimio coalition raised the same last year, some of which are yet to be addressed.
Additionally, Raila dismissed reports of a split in ODM and the Azimio coalition.
“In a robust dismissal, Odinga refuted rumours of discord within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) or Azimio calling such reports fabrications,” a statement by Azimio TV noted.
This development follows a looming split within the coalition, with a faction led by Raila Odinga supporting the planned dialogue with President William Ruto, while other coalition parties, including Wiper, Jubilee, PNU, and Narc-Kenya, oppose the talks.
Tensions escalated on July 17, 2024, when a group of individuals disrupted an address by Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, resulting in the roughing up of journalists during the incident.
“People should go outside! everybody out! the meeting is over! Media people, also leave the meeting is over,” some of the goons were heard shouting during the invasion.
Raila would later issue an apology after it emerged that he had left the meeting shortly after attending it, saying he had other commitments elsewhere. Musyoka was unable to read the resolutions of the Parliamentary group meeting.
Raila demands before dialogue
The former premier also listed six demands to the Kenya Kwanza administration before the national discussions could be convened.
He maintains that these conditions will demonstrate to Kenyans Ruto and Gachagua’s goodwill that can create a conducive environment for a national broad-based people’s convention to address the nation’s critical issues.
The issues raised by Raila include the dropping of all pending charges against protesters, halting abductions and extrajudicial killings of protesters, the unconditional release of all arrested political protesters and the compensation to the relatives of those who were killed by the police and goon violence during the protests including the ones for last year among others.
Raila Odinga later apologized after leaving the meeting early, explaining that he had other commitments. As a result, Kalonzo Musyoka was unable to read the resolutions of the Parliamentary group meeting.
Before engaging in national discussions, Raila has outlined six conditions that he insists must be met by the Kenya Kwanza administration. He argues that these conditions are necessary to demonstrate the goodwill of President Ruto and Deputy President Gachagua and to create a conducive environment for a broad-based national convention. Raila’s demands include:
1. Dropping all pending charges against protesters.
2. Halting abductions and extrajudicial killings of protesters.
3. Unconditionally releasing all arrested political protesters.
4. Compensating the families of those killed by police and violence during the protests, including incidents from the previous year.
