Azimio Party leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (centre), Eugene Wamalwa and Jeremiah Kioni speaking after the coalition’s NEC session on 19 July 2024. [File, Standard]
Some members of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya United Party said on Friday they have no plans to join a broad-based government of national unity proposed by Kenya Kwanza.
Affiliated parties such as Jubilee, led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the Kenya Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Party of National Unity (PNU) rejected the offer to join the government, claiming it had lost legitimacy.
“This would be a betrayal of Kenyans, especially Gen Z and millennials, who have sacrificed so much to rid the country of the disastrous Kenya Kwanza regime,” Kalonzo said.
“Their harsh taxes, Finance Bills 2023 and 2024, corruption, tribalism, unemployment and rising cost of living have caused enough suffering. We cannot be part of a government that supports such injustices,” he added.
Azimio-linked parties believe that joining the Kenya Kwanza government would undermine their ideology, values and principles.
Musioka stressed that as long as Kenya’s Kwanza regime remains in place, real change cannot happen.
“Cabinet reshuffle and changes to civil service orders are merely cosmetic,” he said, proposing a conference to comprehensively address issues affecting Kenyans.
The leaders stressed that a treaty, not just dialogue, was essential for meaningful engagement and a solution.
“If any member of our party wants to benefit from this proposed unity government, it will be on their own behalf and not on behalf of us,” Kalonzo said.
He reiterated his commitment to stand with Gen Z and the general public against the Kwanzaa administration in Kenya.
“When it comes to siding with Gen Z and the Kenyan people or siding with the Kwanzaa government in Kenya, our decision is as clear as night and day. We will always be on the side of the Kenyan people,” Musioka declared.
Divisions continue to widen within Raila Odinga’s party, ODM, after Siaya state governor James Orengo criticised the move to join the government as a “debacle”.
Orengo said it would be disingenuous to reach an agreement and dialogue with President Ruto before delving deeper into the anti-Ruto protests and the lives lost over the 2024 Finance Bill.
“I would like to say that those rushing to join Mr Ruto should know that he is only a temporary shadow. I say this without fear of contradiction,” Orengo said, alleging that Mr Ruto’s administration was steeped in many evils.
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“Justice must be done. The injustice must be addressed before the problems it creates can be addressed,” he said.
Orengo, speaking during the burial ceremony of Kevin Onyango, who was killed during an anti-Ruto protest in Arego North, Siaya County, said the killing of any Kenyan was unfortunate.
Orengo said Kenyans do not want Ruto to step down alone but along with the Deputy President and the entire leadership of the Kwanzaa Kenya government, therefore, it defies logic that our lawmakers would be included in the cabinet, he said.
“Nothing will happen if Ruto leaves. He is not the first to leave. We have had strong leaders who are no longer with us. Strong leaders like former President Kenyatta are no longer with us but the world is still here. Even if the day comes when I leave this world, the world will not end,” he said.
Orengo’s remarks contrast with the position of ODM leader Raila.
Earlier this week, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga argued that removing Ruto from his post would have dire consequences. Addressing the media in Kisumu last weekend, Oburu said the fight to reject the 2024 Finance Bill had escalated to the point where it was threatening infrastructure and democracy.
Oburu, who criticised President Ruto’s leadership, said Vice President Gachagua was the worst leader Kenya had ever seen and should not be allowed to be in power.
The senator said the country was at a crossroads and it was time for the country to adopt a sober approach for the sake of peace.
But yesterday, Orengo said President Ruto was leading Kenyans into a sinking ship and joining him would be a disaster.
Orengo said it was inhumane to kill people during protests and then focus on deciding cabinet posts while their families were grieving.
Coast Wiper Party executives supported the party leader’s position against the proposed talks. They said the youth demands were clear and it was up to the Ruto administration to implement them. They also said the demands of Gen Z were not directed at Mr Azimio but at the Kenya Kwanzaa administration.