Raila trashes claims of Azimio split
Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Chief Principal Raila Odinga, has refuted claims that the coalition is dying.
Mr Odinga, also the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, dismissed allegations of a split within the alliance.
According to Mr Odinga, the claims are nothing but media propaganda.
“There is a lot of speculation in the media; Azimio is splitting, Azimio convened meetings which have not been held, and so on. All those are trash, mere media propaganda,” the former Prime Minister said on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, during the coalition’s press conference in Nairobi.
The presser was convened to assure the nation of Azimio’s unity amid claims of turbulence, as well as to push Kenya Kwanza Government to address the high cost of living.
Azimio la Umoja coalition was gazetted in April 2022 by the Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu, as a party.
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It brought together over 20 parties, some of which include Jubilee, ODM, Wiper, KANU, NARC, Narc-Kenya, Muungano, DAP-K, Devolution Empowerment Party, United Party Independent Alliance, United Democratic Movement, United Progressive Alliance, Pamoja African Culture, Kenya Union Party, and United Democratic Party.
The list also consists of the Kenya Reform Party, Movement for Democracy and Growth, Chama cha Uzalendo, Party for Peace and Democracy, National Liberal Party, People’s Trust Party, Ubuntu People’s Forum, Party of National Unity, Labour Party of Kenya, and Party for Growth and Prosperity.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who fronted the coalition leader, Mr Raila Odinga, to succeed him, though he lost to the current President William Ruto, is the Chair of the alliance.
There have been claims of a split, with Mr Kenyatta said to be at the centre stage.
However, according to Mr Odinga, the allegations were created by the media and are just propaganda.
During the press conference, the opposition leader was accompanied by NARC-Kenya Party leader, Ms
Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) are among the other members.
Mr Wamalwa read the joint coalition’s statement affirming its unity.