Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi’s Pamoja Alliance Party has vowed to skip the ODM leader Raila Odinga’s coastal tour slated for this weekend.
In a press release on Friday, February 18, Kingi’s party accused the ODM party officials from the coast of turning the Azimio event into an exclusive ODM affair.
The party said the ODM party has refused to involve other Azimio leaning parties in the preparations for Raila’s visit.
“We regret to note that the ODM on the ground has refused to work with other parties terming the visit by Raila “an exclusive ODM tour”.
“To this extent, PAA will not participate in meetings organized solely by one constituent member of the Azimio la Umoja to the exclusion of others,” the PAA party said.
The party revealed that they were notified about Raila’s visit as a member of the Azimio la Umoja, hence expected to play a major role in the planning of the former prime minister’s visit.
“As a party, we were informed that the Rt Hon. Raila Odinga was scheduled to tour the coast region from Saturday the 19th of February under the Azimio la Umoja Movement which brings together like-minded parties,” PAA stated.
PAA, however, affirmed its willingness to join the Azimio la Umoja movement saying “We remain committed to joining the Idea of “Azimio La Umoja” which is the champion of national unity irrespective of religion tribe and or political affiliation,”
Governor Kingi, who was elected on the ODM ticket has been on the forefront rooting for a coastal party in the August 9 General Election.
The move by PAA come after some parties within Azimio accused the ODM party of turning Azimio events into an ODM affair.
Recently Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign secretariat called off rallies that were slated for Kisii and Nyamira over tussles among key members of the Azimio in the two counties.
After his 10-day trip abroad, the ODM leader is expected to tour the counties of Kilifi, Mombasa, and Taita Taveta to sell his Azimio la Umoja gospel.
