It's Azimio One Kenya Alliance for Raila in race for State House

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka when he endorsed ODM's Raila Odinga as a presidential candidate under the Azimio la Umoja coalition at the Jacaranda grounds in Nairobi.

The political union between President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and leaders of over 20 parties was consummated yesterday with the unveiling of a mega political coalition party.

The monolithic political party also announced it would zone the country according to spheres of influence among the individual parties. The unveiling also saw the signing of a deed of agreement in Nairobi to form the Azimio One Kenya Alliance coalition party.

This lays to rest anxiety surrounding the new vehicle that opposition chief Raila Odinga will use to ride to State House following days of unease among some allies. The new party will now rely on zoning and consensus in fielding candidates ahead of the August 9 elections.

Yesterday, the cocktail of leaders present put pen to paper on a coalition declaration form which together with the deed of agreement, they promised will be deposited with the office of the registrar of political parties to make the party a legal entity.  Lawyer and spokesperson of ODM leader Raila Odinga's presidential campaign secretariat, Makua Mutua justified the unification of parties under the Azimio la Umoja Movement and One Kenya Alliance, saying it was to ensure that the now monolithic party would secure majority political positions.

“We have come together not by accident but by choice. We are well aware of the issues at stake in the forthcoming elections and we know we must unite. This party is the hope of this country and our driving force is to build a country that unites all irrespective of their region of origin,” said Prof Mutua.

The signing of the pact at Serena Hotel in Nairobi was attended by secretary generals from Jubilee, ODM, Wiper Democratic party, Kenya Union Party (KUP), United Democratic Party (UDP), Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party, Narc Kenya, NARC, Kanu and Maendeleo Chap Chap.

Jubilee SG Jeremiah Kioni said ahead of the various party nominations and consequent polls, the coalition party will heavily rely on zoning and consensus to determine which candidate to be fielded where.

“The guiding principle when it comes to fielding candidates in the coming elections will be the one that gives us the maximum number of votes. Our decision as a coalition party will be final. This time we will not lose seats because of the egos of some people," he said.

Mr Kioni said they will adapt a negotiation rather than constant politicking approach to address intractable issues in its pre and post-election future. He also chided the Deputy President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza brigade terming it a consortium of leaders riddled with scandals and questionable characters.

“From now onward, we will be campaigning together with Raila. We also laud the president for he has guided us by signing into the document because of what this movement stands for; unity, inclusivity and the need to have shared prosperity,” added Kioni.  

KANU secretary general Nick Salat pledged, on behalf of the constituent parties, to ensure Raila received support to wade off competition and clinch the presidency.

ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said constituent members would sit down and “agree on the running of the party affairs including the issue of zoning.”

Key among the issues to be implemented by the coalition party should a win suffice in the August polls, he said, was the two-thirds gender rule in Parliament and the creation of employment opportunities for the youth.

“If we are to allow this scourge (Kenya Kwanza) that is rearing its head to lead we will suffer as a country. The hope of this country lies with this party that seeks to build a country that unites Kenyans regardless of their region of origin,” Sifuna said.

To put an end to fallout rumours between Kalonzo and Raila was Kitui Senator Enock Wambua who ruled out any chances of Wiper working with Kenya Kwanza brigade.

“Wiper's presence here is a statement by itself that it is firmly on the table with the Azimio-One Kenya Alliance political party. From tomorrow, Raila and Kalonzo will traverse the country campaigning and later form a government together,” he said.

He added: "It’s been a long journey to get here but Wiper is finally comfortable signing this deed of agreement without any complaints or suspicions.”

Wiper secretary general Shakila Mohammed noted that all constituent parties signed the coalition agreement based on the three-legged model of power-sharing.