The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition and its leader Raila Odinga have suffered a major setback following the exit of one of its principals. The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader, Eugene Wamalwa, has pulled his party out of the coalition after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
While speaking on Saturday after he chaired the NEC meeting in Webuye, Wamalwa announced that his DAP-K party would no longer be affiliated with the Azimio Coalition.
The Azimio co-principal was quoted as saying that the party no longer finds it tenable to remain in a relationship with people who are no longer like-minded, accusing them of collaborating with the Kenya Kwanza government.
“So, we are saying as DAP we cannot, and we no longer find it tenable to continue being in a relationship with people who are no longer likeminded with us, who are assisting, aiding and abating Zakayo in reintroducing harsh taxes,” said Wamalwa.
He added, “When John Mbadi brings back those taxes you would not say it’s Ruto who has brought those taxes you would say that Ruto has converted some of our colleagues in ODM to become Zakayo like him.”
Wamalwa on pulling out of Azimio
The former Defense CS further noted that the collaboration of some coalition leaders with the ruling Kenya Kwanza government has made the coalition unpopular with the public.
On his part, Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya praised Wamalwa for his decision to withdraw the party from Azimio during the meeting.
“The moment that Kalonzo mentioned that we are still in Azimio legally, that really hurt many Kenyans. For our party leader to take this position and say that we are now moving out of Azimio has filled my heart with joy; my confidence is at another level,” Salasya said amid applause from the crowd.
Back in August, Wamalwa had hinted at his party’s departure from the Azimio coalition after members of the coalition, particularly the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), agreed to work with President William Ruto‘s administration.
Wamalwa back then cited that one cannot be in government and in the opposition at the same time.
“You cannot be the incumbent and opposition… this is where we have reached and we are in the process of seeing whether we can resolve this issue or divorce,” he said during an interview on Spice FM.
The DAP-K party leader further noted other parties within the Azimio coalition had already issued their notices to exit and his party could issue the next very soon.
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Also Read: Another Party Hints at Leaving Azimio After Martha Karua Exit
Other parties on leaving Azimio
The parties included Narc Kenya and the Party of National Unity (PNU).
Wamalwa insisted that Azimio as a coalition lost direction, saying the opposition outfit has also sinned against the people of Kenya.
“Martha Karua was here she has given notice, Peter Munya was here he has also given notice. Very soon Eugene and DAP will give notice. I can tell you as Azimio we have lost direction.
“We have sinned against the people of Kenya and fallen short of the glory, but we are doing something about it and very soon you will hear from us,” he added.
The DAP-K leader at the time noted that it was time the coalition partners parted ways.
He also described the decision by ODM to work with the government as a betrayal of the highest order.
Karua announces exit
DAP-K party’s exit comes after the Martha Karua-led NARC-Kenya party in July formally expressed its interest to exit the formation.
Also Read: Martha Karua Announces NARC Kenya Exit from Azimio
The party’s Acting Secretary General Asha Bashir made the announcement to Azimio Secretariat Secretary General Junet Mohamed in a letter dated July 25, 2024.
Bashir, in the letter, cited “prevailing political developments” as one of the reasons for the party’s imminent exit from the opposition political faction.
“Kindly take note that our stay in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is not tenable due to the prevailing political developments,” said the NARC-Kenya SG.
“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.”
The announcement came a day after President Ruto nominated four members of Azimio affiliate party ODM to his Cabinet.
