Wiper party leader and Azimio la Umoja One kenya principal Kalonzo Musyoka says he has taken control of the coalition and is prepared to be its flagbearer in the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo Musyoka has affirmed his decision to remain in opposition and not join the government, emphasizing his commitment to the country.
But two ODM leaders have criticized a section of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leaders over their alleged conspiracy to overthrow Raila Odinga from the coalition's leadership.
Kalonzo made these remarks during a visit to the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Kihome, Othaya Constituency, Nyeri County, where he attended a symbolic priesthood ceremony for Prophetess Leah Overflow.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were faulted Azimio leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka for allegedly planning to overthrow Odinga.
“Kenyans are solidly behind the Gen Z in their quest to rid the country of corruption, tribalism and nepotism, which have bedevilled Kenya for ages. I cannot betray the Kenyans,” Mr Musyoka said.
Kalonzo stated that his conscience would not permit him to be part of the current government and noted that President William Ruto is aware of his position.
“Wanadhani mimi Kalonzo wa Musyoka naweza kuingia serekali aina hio. My conscience will allow me. For the love of the Nation, we will stand firm. Hata William Ruto anajua Kalonzo atakuwa mpinzani wake, hio anajua wazi, (They think that Kalonzo Musyoka can join such a government. My conscience will not allow me. For the love of the Nation, we will stand firm. Even William Ruto knows that Kalonzo will be his opponent; he knows this clearly),” Kalonzo said.
ODM, a major Azimio constituent party, secured four cabinet slots to be filled by its top Party leadership upon successful vetting and approval by the National Assembly.
He reminded the public of President Ruto’s earlier remarks in Homa Bay, where Ruto suggested that Kalonzo would only be in the opposition if Raila Odinga was appointed Chairperson of the African Union.
“Any person joining Ruto’s regime has in effect endorsed the killing, maiming, abduction and torture of innocent Kenyans. Those of our members who have accepted their nomination to join Ruto’s cabinet are doing so in their individual capacities,” said Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni.
Kalonzo responded by expressing his readiness to challenge Ruto, invoking the recent popular phrase, “Tutaanguka Nayo” (We will fight them).
Other leaders present at the press conference cautioned ODM leaders picked for the next cabinet to turn down the offers which they term as a cosmetic way of reacting to more serious demands raised by Kenyans.
“Mwenyewe alitamka akiwa Homa Bay akasema Rafiki yetu Raila akienda AU inaonekana atabaki na Kalonzo akaanza kucheka, endelea kucheka rafiki yangu. Tutaanguka nao, hatutaachilia. Zakayo tutaanguka nayo. Tutoke hapa tukijia Kalonzo ataanguka na Zakayo, (He himself said in Homa Bay that if our friend Raila goes to the AU, it seems Kalonzo will remain and he began to laugh. Continue laughing, my friend. We will fight them; we will not give up. Zakayo, we will fight them. Let’s leave here knowing that Kalonzo will fight with Zakayo),” Kalonzo added.
According to Kalonzo, President Ruto’s overtures to Opposition political parties is a threat to multi-party democracy that both the government and the opposition pledged to protect through the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), whose report is under consideration in the National Assembly.
Kalonzo’s company
He was accompanied by former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, DAP Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, as well as Kitui and Machakos Senators Kiio Wambua and Agnes Muthama.
Hassan Joho, John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi have expressed willingness to accept the offers which have caused an implosion within party, and led to isolation of the Raila Odinga-led party within the Azimio coalition.
Kalonzo’s remarks come in the wake of several Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members, who are part of the Azimio coalition, being appointed to Cabinet Secretary positions.
A section of Azimio allied leaders have also designated Kalonzo as the leader of the coalition party. According to Kioni, this will allow seamless running of the coalition affairs as Odinga intensifies campaigns for the African Union Commission chairperson bid.
These include John Mbadi (National Treasury), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), and Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy).
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