A secret proposal by former president Uhuru Kenyatta to name Fred Matiang’i the Azimio chairperson has sent shivers down the spine of Kenya Kwanza leadership.
Sources familiar with the developments revealed that ODM leader Raila Odinga has accepted the proposal for Matiang’i to chair Azimio.
The proposal has seen president William Ruto order his troops to put all stops to ensure the former CS does not assume the Azimio top position.
Ruto fears that a combination of Raila, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Matiang’i and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa would be lethal in the 2027 general election and thus must be scuttled the earliest time possible.
The head of state has subsequently moved to nip in the bud the development by dismantling Azimio and also using state machinery to harass Matiang’i to pressure him to drop out of the Azimio leadership race.
Azimio coalition which brought together 26 political parties before some pulled out was led by two organs – the coalition council and the national coalition executive council.
Uhuru was named Azimio council chairperson and Raila its leader.
For now, Raila has stepped into the shoes of leader, leading the coalition as it reorganises itself after defeat in the August 9, 2022 presidential general elections.
Uhuru’s decision to step back is as a result of laws that require a former president not to hold any political office.
Section 6(1) of the presidential retirement benefits Act requires a retired president to step down from any political party, not more than six months after leaving the presidency.
Last week, Ruto orchestrated the suspension of Jubilee vice chair David Murathe and secretary general Jeremiah Kioni as the head of state moved to put brakes on Matiang’i’s elevation to chairperson.
Murathe and Kioni are close associates and allies of Uhuru.
The Jubilee national executive council that met at the Sarova Woodlands Hotel in Nakuru appointed East African Legislative Assembly legislator Kanini Kega as secretary general in an acting capacity.
Further, the party announced that it is on its way out of the Azimio.
The Nec was chaired by Nelson Dzuya (chairman) and attended by other members including Kega, Naomi Shaban, Jimmy Angwenyi, Boniface Gatobu, Peter Mositet, Joshua Kutuny and Rachel Nyamai.
But Kioni who is being bankrolled by Uhuru’s younger brother Muhoho insists that he has not been kicked out of the party.
He maintains he is still the Jubilee secretary general and that the party is firmly in Azimio.
It was In the same week that Ruto moved to cut the political muscles of Uhuru after he convinced over 30 Jubilee MPs to decamp to the government side.
A day before, the president caused an earthquake on Raila after nine MPs allied to the former prime minister crossed over to the government.
The ODM MPs who met Ruto were Phelix Odiwour – Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Shakeel Shabir (independent – Kisumu Town East), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo).
ODM’s Migori senator Eddy Oketch claimed his colleagues were offered Sh50 million bribe.
During the meeting with Jubilee MPs, Ruto openly dangled a carrot when he assured them that they were back home.
“We will be seeking your support on Bills and regulations on the housing fund, water purchasing agreements, among others,” Ruto revealed his intentions, which the opposition argues is sinister and are meant to boost the head of state’s efforts to control the bicameral house.
Some of the Jubilee MPs in the meeting were Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, Kanini Kega (Eala), Sabina Chege (nominated), Irene Njoki (Bahati), Zachary Kwenya (Kinangop), Shadrack Mwiti (South Imenti), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Daniel Karitho (Igembe Central), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West) and Lamu Senator Joseph Githuku.
It was in the same week that the Kenyattas were painted as unpatriotic, claiming they evade paying taxes since president Jomo Kenyatta’s era.
The allegations smoked out Mama Ngina Kenyatta who came out to dare the government to seize her properties.
Uhuru would, however, take longer to respond to these personal attacks on himself and his family. When he did, it indirectly termed the witchhunt as idle talk.
