Azimio Breakaway Speculations High as Jubilee, Narc-K Convene in Limuru
A section of the Azimio coalition, led by Jubilee and Narc-Kenya, has invited 13 parties to a weekend meeting to plot their future after Raila Odinga’s cooperation with President William Ruto.
A faction of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party may withdraw from the Azimio coalition if over 1000 delegates from the 13 parties, including Deputy Azimio party leader Martha Karua’sa Narc Kenya party, decide to leave.
The Azimio coalition is governed by two organs: the Coalition Council and the National Coalition Executive Council (NCEC), with the former serving as the coalition’s top body.
While Uhuru is the NCEC chairperson, Karua is a member and the coalition’s Deputy Party Leader, and the departure of the two key members could be the most devastating blow to the opposition since its inception.
Other Council members include Charity Ngilu, former Kitui governor and Narc Leader, and Jubilee Nominated MP Sabina Chege, who switched her allegiance from Raila and Uhuru to President William Ruto.
Uhuru, Karua, and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni are all from Mt Kenya, leaving former governors Mwangi Wa Iria (Muranga) and Peter Munya (PNU) as the Mt Kenya leaders in the Azimio.
Munya has not been active in the opposition lately. Kioni stated in an interview with The Standard that the Limuru III meetings were held after 13 parties expressed interest in working together.
“Although the Azimio coalition is intact, the Jubilee party and the other political parties reached a consensus that we shall have the meeting to discuss the economic and political way forward as Mt Kenya region,” said Kioni.
When asked if they could discuss Raila’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, Kioni responded sarcastically: “We may not dwell so much on his decision as we view it personal and a family decision but we will deliberate on how the move will affect Mt Kenya region and plan ourselves on how we shall manage ourselves for the two hours he said he will take come back home whenever there is an issue.”
Raila stated on Wednesday in Homabay that even if he is elected president of the AUC, he will continue to be available to Kenyans.
“I am not going away. Addis Ababa is only two hours away from Nairobi. I am available, whenever I am called I will answer. I am ready to work with you people,” he said in what now Kioni said their April meeting will have them manage themselves the time Raila will not be in the country.
According to Kioni, the deliberations will focus on the country’s political realignments, including the issue of “people moving around looking for Presidency,” as well as how to defend the Mt Kenya region, which Kioni claims has been hit the hardest by the country’s economic downtown.
“We are the worst affected and the most affected economically by the taxes introduced by the Kenya Kwanza government. When we said we don’t want avocado fruits to be taxed, Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said it is our of time to pay, which is a misconception that we don’t pay taxes,” Kioni said.
Kioni dismissed Azimio lawyer Willis Otieno’s analogy that ‘when a snake swallows a frog, everything in the frog’s stomach belongs to the snake,’ implying that now that Raila has collaborated with the President, all those under him are under Ruto.
“There are some type of frogs called tadpoles and which are poisonous and could kill cows when swallowed, so not all frogs can be swallowed and they may pose danger to the snake,” he made the remarks that may be loosely translated to mean that despite Raila having decided to work with Ruto not all allies of Raila would follow him.
It is worth noting that Kioni and Karua did not join Wiper leader Kalonzo in his meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation while Raila was in Germany, nor did they accompany their party leader to Homabay on Wednesday.
Instead, Kioni and Karua spent the day in Muranga defending a group of senior citizens accused of belonging to the proscribed Mungiki sect.
Uhuru, who according to reports has not endorsed Raila’s candidature for AUC, has yet to comment publicly on the move and has taken a wait-and-see approach to the matter.
There are reports that Kalonzo may form an alliance with Eugene Wamalwa, Wa Iria, and Geroge Wajackoha in order to succeed Raila in the Azimio succession matrix. Whatever decisions Azimio leaders make in the coming days will make or break the coalition, which once held a majority in parliament but is now a shadow of its former self.
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Azimio Breakaway Speculations High as Jubilee, Narc-K Convene in Limuru
