Hard task for Azimio to remain united, mount strong opposition

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga addresses the press at Jaramogi Odinga Foundation offices, Upper Hill, Nairobi, during a past event. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is struggling to stay united. The Raila Odinga-led coalition that had more than 20 parties when it was formed ahead of the August 9 General Election suffered a setback after some of the outfits opted to join Kenya Kwanza William Ruto was declared winner. Insiders say Mr Odinga is doing everything possible to ensure the coalition sticks together despite recent defections. "I believe Raila will seize the opportunity to reassure his troops that everything is well during a meeting to be held soon. Some politicians within the outfit have been worried about its future after the former Prime Minister lost to Ruto in the presidential election," said the Mr Odinga confidant. There are fears that the defections from the coalition will weaken the opposition's ability to keep the government in check. According to lawyer Ken Echesa, Azimio leaders must stay put and roll up their sleeves in readiness to keep Dr Ruto's administration accountable. "They should stay in the opposition to ensure the government delivers on its mandate," he says. But Martin Oloo, a political commentator, rules out the possibility of Azimio re-inventing itself and forming a formidable opposition. "There are no sound structures that can make the coalition stand," he says. "Is Azimio a structured coalition with proper leadership structures or is it just a collection of political parties, including ODM and Jubilee, which may go separate ways?" He argues that with the resources at his disposal, President Ruto will scuttle the coalition. "Ruto is a schemer and he has the capacity to create confusion in Nyanza and Western... Unlike Raila, he (Ruto) is generous and he is likely to make inroads in Western and Nyanza as a President." Mr Oloo says the coalition's leaders "are clueless", and that the outfit will suffer more humiliation if it tries to regroup and confront the new administration. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. [Collins Kweyu, Standard] Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who are key leaders in Azimio, have indicated that the coalition will form a strong opposition to oversight Kenya Kwanza government. Mr Musyoka argued that five years was a short period and urged Azimio supporters to swallow the bitter pill of losing the election and remain focused. "Five years is not a long time. We will take the pain of being in opposition bitter as it is and pray God to give us strength," he said at the weekend. Kalonzo insisted that he had not given up his dream for the top seat and he was just taking time off to restrategise. "I'm taking a strategic retreat, but I remain focused on the bigger picture, sometimes in life you have to pull back and think of the next move," said Kalonzo. Mr Oparanya has downplayed the defections, claiming that most of those who have joined Dr Ruto's alliance lost in the elections, and that their exit will not weaken Azimio. Joseph Arunga, a resident of Kakamega, cautioned leaders from Western against quitting Azimio. "Our leaders can strike a good working relationship with the President, but they should not ditch Azimio. We have seen in the past governors serving in opposition, including Oparanya, do a good job," he said. Charles Okwemba, director Alpha Support Development asked the President not to marginalise any part of the country. "He should treat everybody, including those in opposition, with respect," he said.

Hard task for Azimio to remain united, mount strong opposition

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