Thirdway Alliance Kenya party leader Dr. Ekuru Aukot has claimed that Azimio has failed to perform its role as opposition because it was compromised to support the Kenya Kwanza government.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, January 25, Ekuru Aukot stated that Azimio was part of President William Ruto’s UDA government.
According to Aukot, the Azimio leaders were only making statements against the Kenya Kwanza government, but behind the scenes, they were working together.
“I don’t think we have opposition, we have a very compromised opposition. These people are in government. In fact the so-called Azimio was bought by UDA a long time ago by UDA as early as February last year,” said Aukot.
The Thirdway party leader argued that the bipartisan talks between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza teams at the Bomas of Kenya was for public relations purposes and it had nothing meaningful.
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In addition, Aukot noted that the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report had nothing about lowering the high cost of living that was affecting Kenyans across the country.
“One of the evidence is the bogus Bomas talks. That was just choreographed to manage the bases. The idea was for us to be able to work together we have to present to the nation something that looks plausible,” argued Ekuru Aukot.
On the other hand, Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee, who defected from opposition to UDA dismissed Aukot’s claims, insisting that Azimio was not bought but most of the opposition leaders voluntarily decided to work with President Ruto’s government.
The Kacheliba MP who was on the same panel with Aukot during the interview with Citizen TV, claimed that Azimio had no strategy to challenge the government.
“Azimio is dead. Look at all the other wings of the coalition, they are all gone, they were not bought, they just looked at the unfortunate situation of the coalition,” said MP Lotee.
“I was not bought…I decided just like the other colleagues, let us just go to the fortunate situation.
“It is not because we were bought, it is because of the fact that Azimio was going to die and it is dead today,” he added.
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The remarks have emerged at a time when there are rumors about the split in Azimio.
However, Azimio leader Raila Odinga who was speaking during an event in Lamu County on January 22 insisted that the coalition is even stronger and more united.
Raila also refuted reports published in local dailies that there are cracks in the opposition coalition, adding that such reports were baseless and misleading.
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“I want to dispel any rumour being spread by irresponsible media. There is no danger of Azimio collapsing any time soon,” he stated.
For instance, the formation of Kamwene group, by a section of Azimio leaders from Mt Kenya region had attracted criticism from political analysts as some say it was an exit strategy from Azimio.
Additionally, Azimio principals Eugene Wamalwa and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka have both expressed interest to contest for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.
