Ruto allies slam Azimio camp over 'suspicious secrecy' on its coalition agreement

 

ANC Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi, Deputy President William Ruto and Ford Kenya Party Leader Moses Wetangula at Water Park hotel in Kisii where they were addressing an Economic Conference meeting on May 4, 2022. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

 

Deputy President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza coalition yesterday sustained their attacks on the Raila Odinga-led Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition in their campaigns in Samburu.

Leaders in DP Ruto’s camp welcomed Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi who ditched Mr Odinga's camp over alleged mistrust and lack of transparency.

Speaking at Wamba, DP Ruto said that Kenya Kwanza is a coalition of equals and was welcoming all other parties to partner with them in forming the next government come August 9.

“Kenyans have rejected dictatorship. Democracy and openness rules among us. Kenyans want a government that will serve them all equally without discrimination,” said DP Ruto.

Mr Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) party and Mr Kingi’s Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) left Azimio after the coalition refused to provide them with copies of a coalition agreement they signed.

DP Ruto reiterated his confidence in capturing the Presidency at the ballot, saying that he was not intimidated by the ongoing meetings and interviews held by the Azimio la Umoja camp.

“They are currently busy in hotels thinking that they will come up with a decision on behalf of all Kenyans. I am telling them, this year they will know that they don’t know anything,” said DP Ruto.

He called on residents to reject a Raila presidency, saying this would set the ground for the return of a push for the referendum foiled under the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

“If you elect Raila, he will start the reggae of changing the Constitution. That is not what Kenyans want. Kenyans want their welfare and economy placed first,” he said.

Garissa Township MP Aden Duale lashed out at the leadership of the Azimio brigade accusing them of infringing on the constitutional rights of political parties and their members.

“Article 38 of our Constitution has given political rights to all Kenyans and parties to join and leave any political formation at will. We are telling President Uhuru Kenyatta that he can’t use his power to force people to remain in an abusive political engagement," he said.

He noted that President Uhuru and Raila could not be trusted citing ‘suspicious secrecy’ shrouding the agreement their coalition, which was submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties.