Possible Fallout Within Azimio Over Ruto Talks

The Azimio la Umoja Coalition is experiencing internal conflict over which candidates should participate in the upcoming bipartisan talks aimed at resolving tensions between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga. 

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua is pushing for embattled Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni to be part of Azimio's five-member team but Kileleshwa Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) MCA Robert Alai opposes this decision. The agreement between the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the opposition permits each side to nominate a team of five, including three lawmakers and two non-Parliament members. Azimio had already chosen Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former CS Eugene Wamalwa as the non-Parliament members. However, some members of the coalition are unhappy with this decision and are demanding representation from the Mt Kenya region. 

"Eugene Wamalwa and Kalonzo Musyoka were suggested to be the members from outside Parliament. Martha Karua protested saying there was no way Kioni could not be part of that because Mt Kenya should be represented," Alai said.

Alai disagrees with this demand and argues that ODM should have a larger share of the team since it contributed more votes during the August 2022 General Election. The bipartisan team's membership status of former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni remains unknown as attempts to reach him for comment remained unsuccessful. In an earlier interview, Kioni confirmed that the team had already been drafted. However, the former MP remains tight-lipped about the identities of the participants

ODM leader Raila Odinga has warned the Kenya Kwanza regime against interfering in the issues the team seeks to raise, accusing the Ruto-led regime of using underhand tactics to frustrate the Jubilee Party headed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.