Azimio Responds To Raid On Politicians By Kenya Kwanza

The Azimio la Umoja coalition has responded to a massive poaching by its rival, Kenya Kwanza, of political figures who defected from the coalition under Raila Odinga.

In a statement by Prof. Makau Mutua of the Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat on Friday, August 19, the coalition accused President-elect, William Ruto of committing an illegality by sweeping apart the coalition for dissatisfied members.

Mutua likened his move to that of the then-ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) to defeat the Legislature and a thorn in the country's multi-party democracy.

Prof. Makau Mutua of the Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat. /FILE

"We are shocked that DP William Ruto, who harbours dreams of leading Kenya, is already engaged in acts of impunity and disregard of the rule of law. He must suffer from gross ignorance of our laws.

"As we issue this statement, Mr Ruto is assiduously wooing some of the leaders elected as Independents and on the Azimio Coalition to defect to his side. This is the practice that was used in the KANU era to defeat the independence of the legislature and retard the growth of multiparty democracy," Mutua addressed.

Mutua called for Ruto to be stopped from taking Kenya back to the old days of the KANU dictatorship.

"He needs to stop engaging in the culture of political corruption. We know he wants to create propaganda to give the impression that he is the inevitable victor," he added.

The professor remained confident that the coalition will overturn Ruto's election at the Supreme Court, terming Ruto's actions as that of a candidate that has hinted at a defeat in the election period.

"The court will be the final arbiter on who won this election, and we are confident that we won it. Why has Mr Ruto panicked and resorted to illegal and corrupt conduct in violation of the law?

"It can only be because he has sensed defeat. We urge Kenyans to see Mr Ruto’s hypocrisy and his disregard for the law for what it is. We ask our supporters and those elected on Azimio, or as Independents, to stand firm to vindicate our democracy," he stated. 

Ruto meanwhile has been on the charm offensive, with several political figures joining the Kenya Kwanza coalition. The latest to join is Yakub Adow Kuno (MP-elect, Bura Constituency, UPIA Party) and Abdi Ali Abdi (MP-elect Ijara, National Agenda Party of Kenya).

On the same day, the ruling Jubilee party warned of consequences for its leaders who might defect to Ruto's camp.

"Once you are in the position you sought to be elected to and you immediately start to shift positions, you lack the leadership positions we are looking for as Kenyans.

“Any member of the Jubilee Party exhibiting wayward behaviour and planning to switch from one party to another should know that they risk losing their seats," Jubilee Secretary General, Jeremiah Kioni, stated.

Yakub Adow Kuno (MP-elect, Bura Constituency, UPIA Party) and Abdi Ali Abdi (MP-elect Ijara, National Agenda Party of Kenya) join President-elect, William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza. /WILLIAM RUTO