RAILA ODINGA TOUGH MESSAGE TO KALONZO MUSYOKA

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga yesterday maintained that Saturday’s Azimio National Delegates Convention (NDC) is for those willing to attend.

He said that Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka alongside his One Kenya Alliance (OKA) co-principals are welcome to the NDC if they wish to be part of the Azimio movement.

After a meeting with a section of Murang’a leaders in Nairobi, the former premier was categorical that the Azimio Convention is open to those who want to belong.

“The people who will come to the NDC are those who subscribe to the ideologies of Azimio which is a unity of purpose. This is a coalition of the willing. Nobody is being coerced to join Azimio,” said Raila about Kalonzo.

Unity of purpose

He went on: “We will deal with those who come to us. A programme will be issued by the secretariat.”

Last week, Kalonzo tabled a 2017 National Super Alliance (Nasa) partnership agreement with Raila as the reference document for coalition talks with the Azimio La Umoja Movement. The 2017 secret document provided that Raila will stand down for Kalonzo in 2022 whether or not he won the election.

“My brother has the option of abiding by the terms of this live binding, legal agreement and thereby emerging as a true, national, regional and indeed continental democratic hero,” said Kalonzo.

Kalonzo said he was ready and willing to lead OKA principals in negotiations with Azimio based on the 2017 deal, he separately negotiated away from other Nasa kingpins Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula.

But yesterday, Raila told off Kalonzo, saying he was not forcing him to join Azimio.

Raila explained that before the Saturday convention, political parties would be issued with application forms to fill and sign ahead of the official launch of Azimio.

At the same time, Raila denied claims that he had already settled on a running-mate from Mt Kenya region. He said the issue would be addressed at a later date.

Opinion polls have placed former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth as the most preferred person to deputise Raila, followed by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.

“That is media speculation. We are working with him under no condition. PK has not even asked to be a running mate. We will talk about it when the right time comes,” said Raila.

On his part, Kenneth, who led yesterday’s delegation comprising MPs and Ward Reps said the issue of Raila’s running-mate was not a priority, adding that they were working to ensure the ODM leader wins the August elections.

“We believe we are safe under Raila. We are supporting him unconditionally,” said Kenneth.

Raila is set to be unveiled as the Azimio presidential candidate at the Saturday event in Nairobi. Raila, who has been endorsed by his Orange party, is seeking the blessings of political parties which have thrown their weight behind him in the quest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 9 polls.

Ahead of the Saturday event, the ODM boss has lined up a series of campaign rallies beginning today in Samburu County, Wajir on Wednesday, Meru on Thursday and Kisumu on Friday before the coronation on Saturday.

ODM, Jubilee, Party of National Unity (PNU), Ubuntu People’s Forum (UPF), Devolution Empowerment Party (Mbus), National Ordinary People Empowered Union (NOPEU), Kenya Union Party (KUP), Pan African Alliance (PAA), Democratic Action Party (DAP), National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCCP), Frontier Alliance Party, Economic Freedom Party and Kenya Patriotic Party (KPP) are among those that are supporting Azimio.

Yesterday, MCCP leader Alfred Mutua, who is also the Machakos governor, told People Daily that the participating parties would meet to make decisions beneficial to Azimio.

“We want everybody on board. All the participating political parties will be sitting at the table to make decisions on Azimio,” said Mutua.

He also charged that there should be clarity when other political parties will join the Azimio Movement, adding that those already in should not “wait for “Kalonzo forever”.

Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat Chief Executive Elizabeth Meyo said that more parties were coming on board the Azimio Movement by the day and that the final tally will be known at the convention.

Ready to sign

“As you are aware, Azimio is a coalition of different parties and we will wait and see how many parties send their delegates. We will reveal this information just before the convention,” said Meyo.

Asked if OKA principals have been invited and are expected to attend, Meyo responded: “We will let OKA answer that question. We can only speak for those already with us in the Azimio journey.”

DAP Secretary-General Dr Eseli Simiyu said that although his outfit had not been told how many delegates are expected to attend the Azimio Convention, they are ready to sign instruments of the coalition.

“Even as we unveil, we need to sign the coalition agreement with those who are already in Azimio. We cannot keep waiting for someone forever,” said Eseli.

Courtesy