As the deadline for the signing of the pre-election coalitions first approaches, 8 political parties have threatened to dump the recently formed Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, April 6, the 8 fringe parties issued a raft of demands after accusing ODM, Jubilee, and Wiper of making major decisions without consultations.
Kivumbi.co.ke looks at the 8 eight political parties out to derail the presidential ambition of the ODM leader Raila Odinga.
- Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC)
Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader Alfred Mutua was the convenor of the meeting dubbed Mwanzo Mpya where the parties resolved that they should be the fourth stool in the Azimio formation
Talking on Citizen TV yesterday Mutua said his party still has time to join Deputy President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza formation if their demands are not met.
“I can decide that Maendeleo Chap Chap gets out and continue as party or we form our own coalition to be the fourth pillar, there is also the option of joining Kenya Kwanza and there’s the option of renewing my presidential bid and decide I go to the ballot,” Mutua said.
2. Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K)
DAP-K which is associated with Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has been having rankles with ODM in the recent past, especially on matters of zoning.
The party has also been uncomfortable with Raila Odinga’s move to endorse ODM aspirants, especially in areas where DAP-K has also fielded candidates such as Kakamega.
3. Muungano party
Muungano party is led by the Makueni Governo Kivutha Kibwana who shelved his presidential ambition to support the former prime minister.
4. NARC
The party is led by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu who at one point was accused by Wipper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of having advised the ODM leader not to sign the agreement that saw Kalonzo join ranks with Raila.
5. Kenya Reforms Party
The Kenya Reforms party that was recently formed has Munene Kahiro as its national chairman.
6. Maendeleo Democrativ Party
The party which used to support ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi before he moved teamed up with DP Ruto is led by Samuel Omukoko
7. Chama cha Uzalendo (CCU)
CCU which was formed in 2004 recently named the former State House chief of staff Nzioka Waita who is also Machakos County’s gubernatorial aspirant as its leader.
The last party that expressed its frustration with the running of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya is the PPT
But the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga yesterday moved with speed to stem disquiet among constituent party members by holding a consultative meeting with the Azimio constituent parties.
After the meeting, the Azimio-One Kenya team agreed to address inclusivity concerns that had been raised in a communique by the eight parties.
“It was decided that the top organ of Azimio, which is the coalition council, will have 11 members drawn from the constituent parties; that is inclusive and will be able to address this question of inclusion of political parties, whether they’re small or large,” Makau Mutua, the Raila Presidential spokesperson said.
The ODM leader also agreed with the demand by the 8 parties by ruling out zoning in the August elections, saying parties will be free to field candidates in any position.
