Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua and Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni have maintained that they are in azimio to stay despite speculations of a rift within the coalition.
The two leaders were at the launch of the Kamwene Leadership Forum, a caucus they believe will promote Mt Kenya area interests.
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Speaking to journalists in Nairobi, Karua claimed they were still staunch members of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition, of which she is a co-principal, despite initial concern that the new outfit signaled probable divisions among the opposition.
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She downplayed comments made by Azimio leader Raila Odinga last Sunday that looked to be an official endorsement of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the opposition's presidential flagbearer in the 2027 general election.
“Right now, we are not talking about the race but about the unity of Mt Kenya people. Kalonzo Musyoka is our brother. We are in Azimio to stay but we still have Kamwene Caucus to caucus about Mt Kenya issues,” Karua told journalists.
“He (Odinga) wrote a statement of clarification, but even if he had endorsed [him], it would be within his right. An endorsement does not in any way curtail the chances of any other person who may wish to enter the race.”
When asked about a scenario in which Odinga supported Musyoka in the 2027 elections, the Narc-Kenya leader dismissed such speculation as "distractions," telling reporters, "We refused to engage in distractions." Take them elsewhere; we're here to discuss Kamwene."
According to sources, Karua and Kioni are displeased with the continuing bipartisan negotiations between the opposition and ruling Kenya Kwanza MPs.
This is in response to Kenya Kwanza's alleged failure to address rising living costs, a key Azimio agenda item, President William Ruto's liaison with some rebel opposition MPs, and what they call Kenya Kwanza's involvement with the Jubilee Party.
