Cracks within the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya continue to widen, even as Party of National Unity (PNU) announces intention to withdraw from the coalition.
Speaking to the press on Monday, July 29, PNU Leader Peter Munya said the decision has been occasioned by the latest political development in the country, where President William Ruto nominated four officials of ODM, an affiliate party of Azimio, to the Cabinet.
Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi’s nominated as Cabinet Secretaries, Munya says, means that ODM has joined President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Government.
“With a lot of respect to our partners in Azimio, led by the man we respect a lot Raila Odinga, we wish them well in Government,” Munya said, urging the ODM Party to be gracious enough and state categorically that they have joined government, instead of taking Kenyans for fools and denying the outright fact. “But they must make a decision to move completely in government, or stay in opposition. They can’t be in two places at the same time.”
Munya says that as a party, the believe they can provide the much needed opposition that will keep the Kenya Kwanza Government in check, urging other affiliate parties within Azimio to follow suit.
“One way of making sure the government performs is by having a strong opposition that keeps the government on its toes. You cannot keep the government on its toes when you are sharing the same table in the government. You can’t be inside the government and at the same time outside. Na tukisema ivo, siyo ati tuna ubaya na yeyote. We are just saying that we believe we can play a better role ourselves as PNU when we are in opposition.”
The former Meru Governor, however, launched a scathing attack against President Ruto, insisting that the Cabinet he has formed is not a “broad-based government” as he claims.
“What they have formed is not a government of national unity. A government of national unity is done in a structured manner where the parties that are involved have a say and a law has to be made to anchor that kind of government in law. Where one person is cherry-picking who he wants to put somewhere, that cannot be a government of national unity.”
He revealed that he has not received any offer to join President Ruto’s government, but was quick to point out that even if there could be one on the table, he will gladly reject.
“The people of Kenya are on the streets, demanding certain changes and those changes have not been effected. A few people have been given seats at the table. I have not been offered any seat. Even if I am offered, I will decline the offer. I am better off working with the people of Kenya to bring the changes that we require, than strengthening a government that people have a lot of issues with.”
