Kalonzo Picked To Lead Azimio La Umoja

Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka has been chosen to lead the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition.

In a statement read on Thursday, July 25, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni revealed that the choice was prompted by current Azimio Leader Raila Odinga campaigning for the Africa Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position. 

"We want to thank our leader Raila Odinga who has led our Coalition successfully since its formation. We know his quest for AUC leadership will enter a critical stage starting next week and we wish him luck as he prepares to take on the continental duties," Kioni explained why Kalonzo was taking over.

"As Azimio, and as you have witnessed in the recent past, Kalonzo Musyoka has continued to lead us while Raila has been out seeking the leadership of the African Union and we continue to ask him to guide us as a coalition. We have resolved he continues leading us even as we allow Raila to continue with AUC campaigns."

Furthermore, the Azimio leaders revealed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders joined President William Ruto's cabinet as individuals, adding that the coalition turned down the opportunities to engage in dialogue with the President.

On the nomination of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members to Ruto's cabinet, Kioni indicated that the coalition did not sanction such a move, remarking that the move had disintegrated the multiparty system in the country, and went against the Kenyan Constitution and the recommendations by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).

In solidarity with Kenyans who were opposing the new cabinet nominees, the Kalonzo-led team affirmed that the country wanted genuine reforms and not recycling sacked government officials.

"We will not take part in the proposed broad-based government of national unity as it is a betrayal of Kenyans especially Gen Z and millennials," Kioni gave the coalition's position. 

Kalonzo On Reports Of Being Fronted For Attorney General Role

Meanwhile, Kalonzo responded to reports of being offered the Attorney General position in the Kenya Kwanza government.

He noted that no one had offered him such a high-profile position, adding that he had served as a Vice President of Kenya and a minister with several portfolios, adding that serving as Attorney General would be inviting unnecessary pressure.

“Nobody has offered any position to me or to Wiper. Nothing about the Attorney General is a mirage, I may be senior council but this guy has been the vice president of the republic and he has been a minister in many portfolios, do you expect him surely to go and serve Ruto as Attorney General?

“I think it is expecting too much. The bottom line is there is no such thing and we are not interested,” said Kalonzo.

His clarification comes after netizens speculated on social media that the former vice president has been offered the Attorney General role in the President William Ruto-led administration, a position whose nominee has not yet been named.

President William Ruto alongside Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during the announcement of new Cabinet nominees at State House on July 19, 2024. /PCS