The future of Azimio-One Kenya Alliance Coalition remains in the balance days after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party members were nominated to join cabinet.
Party of National Unity (PNU) led by former Meru Governor Peter Munya has hinted at leaving the coalition after the recent political developments.
Speaking to the media, Munya said the party will have a National Executive Committee (NEC) to discuss the way forward regarding their stay in Azimio.
He explained that the Raila’s ODM part cannot be in government and the opposition at the same time.
Munya said the other opposition parties left in Azimio must distance themselves from ODM and continue performing their role of keeping the government in check.
“Next Thursday, we will have a PNU NEC meeting where we will decide our party’s position regarding our relationship with Azimio because the ODM party, which was part of this coalition, has joined the government and cannot be both in the government and in the opposition.
“Those of us who have chosen to be in the opposition must separate so that we can continue to advocate for Kenya because there are many problems brought by the current government,” he said.
He explained that the Constitution provides for a government and the opposition but doesn’t allow a party to be in both.
“The way our constitution is structured, there has to be two sides, the people who are in government and then there are those who are in opposition. You can’t be in both at the same time,” he said.
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Taking Over from ODM
Munya wished Raila and his Party well after the move but asked the party leader to decide either to join the government fully or remain in the opposition
“So, with a lot of respect to our partner in Azimio led by the man we respect a lot, Raila Odinga, we wish them well in government. But they must make a decision to move completely into government or stay in the opposition. They can’t be in two places at the same time,” he added.
He reiterated that PNU is ready to take over the mantle from ODM and urged the Azimio parties to also make a decision on their stand to avoid confusion in governance.
“We believe we can play a better role as PNU in the opposition, and we are telling our brothers who are in Azimio to also make a choice. If they have decided to join the government, let them do it fully so that it is clear who is playing where. Right now, there is confusion,” Munya said.
Working with Ruto
The PNU leader said he has not been offered any position by President William Ruto. He clarified that he is happy being in the opposition and would reject such offers should he be approached.
“I have not been offered anything and even if I am offered, I will decline the offer because I think I am better off working with the people of Kenya to bring the changes that we require than going to a government that people have a lot of issues,” he said.
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Karua Exits Azimio
This comes a few days after NARC led by Martha Karua announced its exit from the Azimio Coalition. Karua had announced that she will not join Ruto’s government but will instead stand with the Gen Z and the people of Kenya.
In a letter dated July 25, the party said it could not continue being part of the Coalition due to the changes in the political space.
“Kindly take note that our stay in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is not tenable due to the prevailing political developments. As NARC Kenya, by way of this letter, we are giving notice to exit the Coalition as stipulated in the exit clause(s) in the Coalition Agreement. This notice is effective from the date of this letter,” read the letter.
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