Raila furious after Azimio’s prominent politicians snub his Kamukunji rally
Raila furious after Azimio's prominent politicians snub his first anti-Ruto rally in Kamukunji held on Wednesday
Raila furious after Azimio’s prominent politicians snub his first anti-Ruto rally in Kamukunji held on Wednesday.
Political unrest has hit the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance after a number of prominent lawmakers skipped its initial anti-Ruto demonstration in Kamukunji.
The slight may raise red flags in Raila’s camp ahead of their concurrently scheduled Jamhuri Day celebrations scheduled for next Monday at Jacaranda Grounds.
It has come to light that Raila is enraged that the majority of the ODM party’s members avoided the gathering, revealing dissension within the group about future demonstrations.
The ODM leader has scheduled a number of nationwide protests against President William Ruto’s administration over the course of the next 30 days, raising the prospect of a political impasse.
Members of all the Azimio partner parties were anticipated to attend the Kamukunji event, but the turnout made clear that the coalition was uneasy about the demand for rallies.
Among the noteworthy bigwigs who skipped the gathering were ODM deputy party leader Hassan Joho and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, a crucial member of the Azimio alliance.
A crucial ally of Raila’s, Makadara MP George Aladwa, claimed that some lawmakers had chosen to disregard Raila at a time when he most needed them.
Aladwa who chairs the ODM county chairpersons forum insisted that Azimio members and especially the orange party bigwigs must lead from the front instead of ducking.
“There is no way people can forsake Raila at his hour of most need, it was sad that those who have been looking for him for endorsements could not attend the rally,” he said.
“We received a lot of apologies from so many leaders who claimed that they had prior engagements. I suspect that they are fearing showing up because they are quietly working with Ruto’s government.”
The absentee leaders are said to have started sending apologies from Tuesday evening alleging ‘prior engagements.
They were expected to converge at a city hotel and then leave as a team to Kamkunji by 11 am but only a handful showed up.
“It was a big shame,” protested one of Raila’s allies who attended the meeting.
Notably, all governors elected on the Azimio partner party tickets including ODM missed the rally on Wednesday with reports indicating they had been invited to the event.
The Wednesday rally was also snubbed by most of the Jubilee party allied politicians except for Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni.
Despite making a public appearance with Raila on Tuesday, Jubilee vice chairperson David Murathe-a key ally of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta-did did not show up at Kamukunji.
The former Gatanga MP had vowed that he would be at Kamkinji to lead the campaigns against President Ruto’s policies.
Others Jubilee stalwarts like nominated MP Sabina Chege and EALA nominee Kanini Kega were also a no-show.
In Nairobi, county woman representative Esther Passaris, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, and Dagorreti North MP Beatrice Elachi did not show up as well.
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