Small Parties Demand A ‘Four-Legged Stool’ in Azimio la Umoja

A sibling rivalry at the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance is slowly taking shape, as smaller constituent parties cry foul.

The parties, now overshadowed by the ruling Jubilee, Orange Democratic Movement, and Wiper Democratic Movement, are complaining of being excluded.

You see, ODM leader Raila Odinga has joined forces with his running mate of two times in the previous elections, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and hit the ground running.

Their bromance, which was on a brink of fading after the Wiper leader accused Odinga of betrayal, has seemingly bounced back and the two leaders are now at ease, with each other.

But smaller parties like that of Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua- who had initially taken advantage of the short-lived bad blood between Musyoka and Odinga, are jittery.

Mutua’s party Maendeleo Chap Chap and that of his Makueni counterparty, the Muungano Party- are among those complaining.

In the early stages of the President Uhuru Kenyatta Azimio la Umoja coalition, both Mutua and Kibwana did not shy away from throwing political jabs at Musyoka, who they had accused of taking too long to make a decision.

Musyoka stood firm, and he is seemingly the one laughing last, after getting what he negotiated- a change of the coalition name, to accommodate what he led, the One Kenya Alliance.

On Tuesday, Mutua and Kibwana led a host of parties under the Mwanzo Mpya caucus, to lament and also make demands to their presidential candidate.

Top in their list of lamentations is the lack of exclusion during the change of the coalition name from Azimio la Umoja to Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya political party.

“We found out of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition in the news like the rest of Kenyans,” the Mwanzo Mpya caucus leaders said in a statement.

The deal was inked at a city hotel on April 1, where Musyoka finally managed to have his way of having Azimio la Umoja One Kenya as a coalition party.

“This is a great day because we are launching Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance. Today we will be moving to the registrar of political parties to register this outfit. We want to clarify though that parties in this outfit have joined as an individual political party,” Prof Makau Mutua, the Azimio la Umoja spokesperson said.

The Secretaries-General from some of the Azimio la Umoja coalition were present.

“There is an indication the leadership of Azimio is made up of three parties only: Jubilee, ODM & Wiper. Leaving out the other founding parties,” Machakos Governor said.

He revealed that “coalitions agreement documents have not been shown to us, yet they are insisting that we should sign. We will not agree to this.”

“Our candidates have already registered their candidature with our parties and they have an equal right to be on the ballot.”

The party leaders said that there is an attempt to run nominations through zoning, in the coalition to the detriment of their parties.

“Our candidates are prepared to compete and zoning has no place in the current arrangement,” Mutua said.

The leaders said they too, have a caucus, saying the coalition should now pursue a four-legged stool approach.

Musyoka was of the idea that the coalition is a three-legged stool, with his entry- making him one of the main principals.

“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,” Kibwana said.

He lamented that the “so-called big parties have already appointed themselves portfolios at our expense.”

They even threatened if their demands are not heeded, they too can form a coalition and enter into a post-election agreement.

“Some of us sacrificed our presidential ambitions to support Azimio and our Azimio presidential candidate,” Mutua said.

Mutua like Kibwana had indicated they would join the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, but dropped their bids, to support Odinga.

Odinga has the backing of President Kenyatta.

They also want the choice for a Deputy President to be picked through a consensus, “just like we agreed on the presidential candidate.”

Musyoka is seen as a front runner in the race to Deputise Odinga, due to his perceived control of the 2 million Kamba votes and experience.

Odinga will have to strike a balance between Musyoka and appeasing the Mt Kenya region- whose top businessmen and leaders are supporting him.

The question, however, is whether their support will amount to the much-needed votes for Odinga since the region has been slippery and with a more inclination to Deputy President William Ruto.

But latest surveys show Odinga has gained some significant ground in the vote-rich block.

He is also counting on President Kenyatta’s support, hoping he will tilt the votes to his favour.

With a political experience spanning decades, Odinga has his work cut out; to hunt the prize and ensure unity within his house before he can achieve the same across the country.

He is a list of Mwanzo Mpya constituent parties;