A proposal by former president Uhuru Kenyatta to have former Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i to replace him as Azimio chairperson has sent shock waves in Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Sources privy to the developments revealed to Kenyan Bulletin that ODM leader Raila Odinga has already accepted the proposal since it will guarantee heavy funding from the wealthy Kenyatta family.
The proposal has pushed President William Ruto to order his Kenya Kwanza troops to put all hurdles to ensure that the former autocratic CS does not rise to Azimio’s top leadership.
But the president is wary of the combination of Matiang’i, Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua would make a formidable force ahead of the 2027 general election and therefore must be scuttled as earlier as possible.
The head of state has since made serious moves to dismantle Azimio by buying off Jubilee members including a section of ODM MPs and also using state machinery to harass Matiang’i, to pressure him to keep off politics.
Azimio coalition comprised of 26 political parties before a mojority of them pulled out to support Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government. Uhuru is the current Azimio council chairperson while Odinga serves as its leader.
Odinga is struggling to reorganize the coalition after suffering a damning defeat in the August 9, 2022 presidential general elections.
Uhuru’s move to step back is as a result of laws that require a former president keep off any political office six months after elections.
Section 6(1) of the presidential retirement benefits Act states that a retired president must step down from any political party, not more than six months after leaving the presidency.
Uhuru’s decision also comes after Ruto engineered the suspension of Jubilee vice chair David Murathe and secretary general Jeremiah Kioni as part of schemes to prevent Matiang’i’s elevation to chairperson position.
The Jubilee national executive council that met at the Sarova Woodlands Hotel in Nakuru appointed East African Legislative Assembly legislator Kanini Kega as the interim secretary general and suspended Murathe and Kioni who are close allies of Uhuru.
The former ruling party also announced that it is on its way out of the Azimio after the Nec meeting which 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.
It was during the same week that President Ruto also managed to cut the political muscles of Uhuru after he bought off more than 30 Jubilee MPs to ditch Azimio and join the government side.
He bought off Jubilee MPs a day after raiding Odinga’s ODM party and poaching 9 MPs who 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).
“We will be seeking your support on Bills and regulations on the housing fund, water purchasing agreements, among others,” Ruto said.
Some of the Jubilee MPs who met Ruto includes 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.
The events crowned the week that witnessed a beehive of political activities including the Kenyattas being flashed out over claims of tax evasion since president Jomo Kenyatta’s era.
The allegations forced Mama Ngina Kenyatta to come out and dare the government to seize her properties if she has not been paying tax while Uhuru termed the allegations as political witch-hunt and idle talk.
