Raila Under Pressure as Azimio Faces Internal Cracks

Cracks within Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition have grown wider as Eugene Wamalwa, a key member, has expressed opposition to the referendum proposed by the ODM leader.

Wamalwa stresses the importance of tackling the problem of soaring cost of living before entertaining the idea of a referendum. In contrast, Odinga asserts that while the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report lacked a definitive conclusion, it served as a promising foundation and should be enacted through a referendum. He underscores the significance of granting the people of Kenya the opportunity to voice their opinions on issues like establishing the position of the opposition leader or formalizing the role of the prime cabinet secretary.

Odinga also points out the importance of adhering to the constitutional requirement of holding a referendum for significant government restructuring to avoid potential legal disputes. Furthermore, he stresses the need for the country to make a decisive choice regarding the adoption of a parliamentary, presidential, or hybrid system, as indecisiveness hampers progress. Mr Wamalwa, who previously opposed the report and deemed it disrespectful to the people of Kenya, now appears ready to challenge the leadership of his coalition. He is aligning himself with Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua.

Mr Wamalwa has made it clear that he did not put his signature on the report because he, along with the people of Kenya, cannot support a referendum that fails to address the high cost of living. He stresses that it would be insensitive and disrespectful to expect Kenyans to participate in a referendum while they are struggling to meet their basic needs, such as food and school fees. Ms Karua recently criticized the NADCO report led by her coalition counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka, labelling it deceitful and urging Kenyans to completely reject it. In a concise statement last Thursday, she expressed her disagreement with Mr Odinga's position on the NADCO report and called for its total rejection.

It is believed that Mr Wamalwa and Ms Karua have the full support of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta, who also serves as the Azimio council chairman. Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni echoes their reservations regarding the NADCO report. He emphasizes that as the spokesperson for the Jubilee party, they do not endorse the report due to its failure to address crucial issues such as the cost of living, electoral fairness, and commitment to multiparty democracy.

Despite allegations of division within the coalition, Mr Wamalwa and Mr Kioni downplay the claims, asserting that the coalition is intact. Mr. Kioni assures the public that the leadership would remain united and actively participate in public events. He emphasizes their dedication to engaging with Kenyans through open forums and speaking with a unified voice. Furthermore, he defends Mr Kenyatta against accusations of disrupting the Azimio movement.