Tension in Azimio as 8 affiliate parties issue 9 tough demands
A group of parties affiliated to the Azimio la Umoja coalition has decried being neglected from the decision making organs of the coalition.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the eight parties; Maendeleo Chap Chap, Muungano, NARC, Kenya Reform Party, CCU, DAP-K , PPT and Maendeleo Democratic Party claimed that the coalition has neglected them in favour of ODM, Jubilee and Wiper parties.
In a statement, the group alleged that despite being partners int he coalition, they have not been consulted on critical decisions including renaming of the coalition to Azimio One Kenya coalition.
"We found out of the Azimio la Umoja -One Kenya coalition in the news like the rest of Kenyans. There is an indication the leadership of Azimio is made up of three parties only: Jubilee, ODM & Wiper. Leaving out the other founding parties," the group's statement read in part.
The group further claimed that they are being pushed to sign coalition documents yet they are not preview to the details, adding that the coalition leadership is also pushing for zoning in some regions, yet they have registered candidates who are ready to contest for different seats.
[caption id="attachment_16622" align="alignnone" width="1280"]
A section of leaders drawn from Azimio la Umoja affiliate parties during a presser on April 6, 2022. [Photo: Alfred Mutua Twitter][/caption]"There is an attempt to run nominations through zoning. Our candidates are prepared to compete and zoning has no place in the current arrangement," the group said.
Under a caucus dubbed Mwanzo Mpya, the group says it should be treated as an equal partner in the coalition (fourth leg of the Azimio stool) and have a representative in the coalitions election board.
"We also have our own caucus. The Mwanzo mpay caucus, which is the fourth leg of the Azimio stool. 8. There are currently no provisions for us to be on the elections board. We insist to be also included and to have a voice since we represent a significant voting bloc," a statement posted on Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua's social media pages read in part.
The group has hit the Azimio-OKA with nine demands, failure to which the leaders have threatened to explore other options outside the coalition. Below is a list of demands by Mwanzo Mpya to the Azimio calition leadership:
1. We should be the fourth leg caucus.
2. We must renegotiate the document.
3. We cannot have zoning.
4. The deposited document has to be withdrawn.
5. There has to be consensus on all decisions.
6. There has to be consensus on all nominations.
7. The Deputy President choice must be through consensus just as we agreed on the presidential candidate
8. The positions which we agreed in at K.I.C.C must be honoured.
9. If we are not listened to we have options.
A section of leaders drawn from Azimio la Umoja affiliate parties during a presser on April 6, 2022. [Photo: Alfred Mutua Twitter][/caption]"There is an attempt to run nominations through zoning. Our candidates are prepared to compete and zoning has no place in the current arrangement," the group said.
Under a caucus dubbed Mwanzo Mpya, the group says it should be treated as an equal partner in the coalition (fourth leg of the Azimio stool) and have a representative in the coalitions election board.
"We also have our own caucus. The Mwanzo mpay caucus, which is the fourth leg of the Azimio stool. 8. There are currently no provisions for us to be on the elections board. We insist to be also included and to have a voice since we represent a significant voting bloc," a statement posted on Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua's social media pages read in part.
The group has hit the Azimio-OKA with nine demands, failure to which the leaders have threatened to explore other options outside the coalition. Below is a list of demands by Mwanzo Mpya to the Azimio calition leadership:
1. We should be the fourth leg caucus.
2. We must renegotiate the document.
3. We cannot have zoning.
4. The deposited document has to be withdrawn.
5. There has to be consensus on all decisions.
6. There has to be consensus on all nominations.
7. The Deputy President choice must be through consensus just as we agreed on the presidential candidate
8. The positions which we agreed in at K.I.C.C must be honoured.
9. If we are not listened to we have options. What's Your Reaction?
