Is Mt. Kenya’s Jitters A Sign of Azimio’s Impending Shake-Up?

Insiders suggest that the disgruntled team, centered around Karua, aims to galvanize regional support and eventually announce their exit from Azimio.

This comes at a time when President William Ruto’s administration faces widespread criticism over its taxation policies, adding fuel to the political fire.

Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, a close ally of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, has been vocal about feeling marginalized within Azimio. At a recent Azimio parliamentary group meeting chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kioni lamented the perceived exclusion of Mt. Kenya from both government and opposition.

“We are not able to feature in Azimio while those talking about shareholders are strangers in that regime. We are not in government; here [in Azimio] we are also being pushed out,” Kioni stated, painting a picture of a region isolated on all fronts.

This sense of isolation is a driving force behind the Limuru III meeting, designed to chart a new political and economic future for Mt. Kenya, a region with a substantial voter base of eight million.

The meeting will bring together a diverse group of professionals, politicians, businessmen, and religious organizations to discuss the region’s path forward.

High-profile attendees include Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, and influential businessmen, among others.

Their participation underscores the importance of this gathering in determining the future political landscape of Mt. Kenya.

The tensions within Azimio have been exacerbated by ODM leader Raila Odinga’s recent actions, including his bid for the African Union Commission chairperson position.

This move, seen as a bid for international recognition, has led to a noticeable reduction in his domestic political activities and criticisms of the government.

Raila’s closer relationship with President Ruto, who supports his international aspirations, has deepened suspicions within the coalition.

The Mt. Kenya faction’s skepticism about Azimio’s future viability is not without basis. During the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) talks, Mt. Kenya leaders protested their exclusion from key committees, only for Kioni to be later included in a technical team.

Even then, Karua and Kioni opposed the Nadco report, labeling it “a fraud” that failed to address critical issues such as the high cost of living.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu dismissed the upcoming Limuru III gathering as a political maneuver to discredit President Ruto’s administration.

He accused Karua and Kioni of trying to regain political relevance after being sidelined in Azimio. “It is a dead opposition trying to resuscitate themselves politically,” Muriu said.

Governance expert Javas Bigambo suggests that Karua and Kioni might be using Limuru III as a strategic exit from Azimio, seeking a convenient excuse to leave the coalition and form new political alliances.

According to Bigambo, the political parties’ amendment allows for post-election disengagement, which the Mt. Kenya leaders might capitalize on to create new formations and opportunities.

Former Kiambaa parliamentary aspirant Damaris Waiganjo, attending the Limuru meeting, disclosed plans to form another coalition within Mt. Kenya that could still collaborate with Azimio.

“Limuru III is the coming together of 26 Mt Kenya parties to form a coalition for the unity of purpose of our people,” she said, indicating a potential reconfiguration of political alliances.

The ongoing discontent within Azimio is further highlighted by Karua’s noticeable absence from key opposition meetings and her critical stance on the National Dialogue Committee’s report.

Her rejection of the report underscores her dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and hints at her broader political ambitions.

As the political climate in Mt. Kenya heats up, the region’s leaders must navigate these turbulent waters carefully.

The outcomes of the Limuru III meeting will be pivotal in determining whether Mt. Kenya will continue to align with Azimio or seek new political horizons.

This unfolding drama is not just a regional concern but a significant chapter in Kenya’s national political narrative.