


Kenya: Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Communique regarding Panel to Vet and make Recommendations regarding the Party’s Deputy Presidential Nominee (27.04.2022)











“Kenyans who call me watermelon don’t know me, they don’t understand me” – Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (17.04.2022).
The Wiper Democratic Movement President, One Kenya Alliance (OKA) Principal and part of Azimio La Umoja Coalition as a Council Member, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is now going in hard as his supposed to be the Deputy President Candidate of the Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Alliance Coalition Party. Because, everyone knows that the Presidential Candidate will be Raila Odinga. That is predetermined and was written in stone.
If it will be so in 2022… then the joint ticket of Odinga-Kalonzo will be the third time. This has been done in coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) in 2013 and in the National Super Alliance (NASA) in 2017. Both times he was the Deputy on the ticket. It is a miracle that his still by the side and was able to negotiate himself into the Azimio camp after ditching the Swearing-In Ceremony on the 30th January 2018 at Uhuru Park. While he was able to get into good graces and become a Special Envoy to South Sudan in that term after the handshake between Odinga and Kenyatta.
Odinga and Kenyatta has joined forces in Azimio, just like they did in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Kalonzo Musyoka is only benefiting from the fruits of their labour and now want the full buffet in this coalition party as well.
He is now acting like what his bringing is such huge following. That if Azimio-OKA will get certain votes and such. The coalition party needs to cater and ensure Kalonzo Musyoka becomes the DP. This would make this ticket for the third time and in a third alliance.
Kalonzo Musyoka is then not thinking of any of the other parties. Him and the OKA isn’t the only group in the Azimio. He acts like his the supreme ring leader beneath Odinga. That’s how things are looking and he should consider himself accordingly.
The whole Coalition Party is filled with leaders. There could be other strategies. That’s why Azimio is vastly different from CORD/NASA as is. Azimio has a broader spectrum and a bigger range of political leaders. This is why Kalonzo Musyoka could await what would happen after the polls. As he could get a plum-job then, because he participated and negotiated in this coalition already.
We know there is a top tier of the Jubilee and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) within the Azimio. The second is the supposed OKA and the latter is the Mwanzo Mpya Caucus. Therefore, there is several of wings within the Coalition Party. Where several of leaders could get ranked and become DP.
Why should Odinga risk his ticket for a third time?
There several of other Council Members that is eligible and could become the DP. It could be Gideon Moi, Hassan Ali Joho, Sabina Chege, Naomi Shaban, Martha Wangare Karua, Charity Kaluki Ngilu, Wafula Wamunyinyi, Abdi Noor Omar Farah and Junet Mohamed. It is not like his only Council Member who is capable and eligible. Why should he outrank these people? What is so special and unique with Kalonzo?
Well, that he plays all different fields… and switches alliances after what is serving him the most. That’s why he played so hard to get before signing with Azimio too. It was inevitable when NASA Co-Principals went to Kenya Kwanza Alliance. He had to go Azimio. Therefore, Kalonzo should feel blessed that Azimio let him in and let the OKA become a part of the Coalition Party.
Kalonzo needs to rest on his laurels and what he has achieved already. Nevertheless… he wants to be the big-man… but he isn’t as grand, because there is nothing written in stone. It is a reason why he isn’t trusted or respected. His jumping ship quickly and seeking safe-haven. Kalonzo …. needs to chill… and Azimio should pick the most fitted and in particular someone who could create trust and goodwill outside of the coalition. However, don’t trust that… because these things will be traded and negotiated there too. Peace.









Yesterday, the Mwanzo Mpya Caucus lead by Governor Alfred Mutua presented a harsh statement and a press conference with several other parties. The parties involved in this caucus are MCC, Muungano, Kenya Reform Party, CCU, DAP-K, PPT, NARC and Maendeleo Democratic Party. These are reacting to how the Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Alliance is moving forward as a unit.
It is clear that the big three – Orange Democratic Movement, Jubilee and Wiper Democratic Movement are getting much more out of it than the rest. This is why Mutua and other party leaders are addressing it. Showing that the coordination within Azimio la Umoja isn’t that good.
The 11 points in the Press Release from Yesterday is interesting to say the least:
“1. We are the ones who made Azimio what it is.
2. We found out of the AZIMIO LA UMOJA – ONE KENYA coalition in the news like the rest of Kenyans.
3. There is an indication the leadership of Azimio is made up of three parties only: Jubilee, ODM & Wiper. This leaves out the other founding parties.
4. Coalitions agreement documents have not been shown to us and yet they are insisting that we should sign. We will not agree to this.
5. Our candidates have already registered their candidature with our parties and they have an equal right to be in the ballot.
6. There is an attempt to run nominations through zoning. Our candidates are already prepared to compete and zoning has no place in the current arrangement.
7. We also have our own caucus. The Mwanzo mpya caucus, which is the fourth leg of the Azimio stool.
8. 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.
9. The so called big parties have already appointed themselves portfolios at our expense.
10. We can form our own coalition and enter into a post-election agreement.
11. Some of us sacrificed our presidential ambitions to support Azimio and our Azimio presidential candidate” (Mwanzo Mpya Caucus, 06.04.2022).
The parties are saying they are why Azimio is a thing in the first place and that trio of ODM, Jubilee and WDM is taking over with no justification towards the other parties. They are not put into consideration and not even on the ballot. That shows that the possible secretariat of this coalition is one-sided and not voicing for the smaller parties, which should have their say as well. Not only the big-ones and the ones who has more influence.
In consideration too… we should know that in this new Caucus Marta Karua (NARC-Kenya) is part of as well. Just like NARC was a part of One Kenya Alliance. Surely, this can be seen as a bargain chip to get into a better to position. Which shouldn’t be denied by anyone here. We know everyone wants as much leverage and position themselves as best as possible. Just so they can get a more power and better political capital after the up-coming elections. That’s why these parties come out now. Because, they have to find a way to get importance… before they are forgotten about and becomes small local parties with little to none national influence.
The Mwanzo Mpya Caucus will only add pressure to ensure they have options. That they are in the picture and is getting their slice of the pie. They want to have the UNGA and they wants loads of it. However, the trio of parties should be aware, that they have to coordinate properly and ensure mechanisms that seems fair for candidacies. Because, this is all built on trust and agreements between everyone in the coalition. These sorts of pressers and public displays only shows that the coalition is built on shaky grounds… and could easily fall or become marginalized.
Yes, the ODM and Jubilee can feel invisible, as they just got One Kenya Alliance under their banner as well. Nevertheless, Kalonzo Musyoka isn’t the only man who wants to eat, but the others wants that as well. This is what’s so striking with NARC-Kenya joining this Caucus yesterday. That just show quickly Karua is moving and trying to become more relevant.
Odinga, Kenyatta and Kalonzo needs to reconfigure. We know they are dealing with egos and wishes of smaller parties. However, they need to put them into play. If not… they are just hoodwinking everyone and they will tarnish this coalition before it’s even beginning. That will make the Azimio la Umoja coalition look foolish and the Presidential Candidate doesn’t want that. He wants peace within own ranks and show the Republic that he can unite people. If he cannot unite his own coalition. How can he unite… the whole republic then?
That’s just a question, but these are supposed allies and should be treated that way. Peace.
