A faction of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has firmly declined to join the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led government of national unity.
During a press conference on Friday, Kalonzo announced that his faction would not participate in the dialogue suggested by President William Ruto to ease national tensions.
Kalonzo asserted that joining the dialogue would betray Kenyan youth, who have been vocal in rejecting the proposed talks through ongoing anti-government protests. He emphasized that any party member choosing to join the government-led dialogue would do so individually, not as representatives of Azimio.
“Any of our members who opt to join the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity will be doing so in their personal capacity, not on behalf of Azimio,” Kalonzo clarified.
He reiterated that the opposition's mandate is to represent the people’s voices and needs, not the government's. Addressing the Cabinet situation, Kalonzo argued that no significant change would occur under the Kenya Kwanza regime unless it considered Raila Odinga's proposal for a national convention to chart the country’s future instead of mere dialogue.
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“As long as the Kenya Kwanza regime remains in place, nothing will change. Meaningful engagement can only happen after Raila calls for a convention, not a dialogue. This could lead to interim arrangements for a transitional government of national unity, following the convention’s resolutions,” Kalonzo stated.
This declaration comes amidst reports of internal division within the opposition, with some members reportedly inclined to participate in government-led talks. Kalonzo’s firm stance underscores his commitment to maintaining the opposition's independence and loyalty to the youth-led anti-government movement.
In summary, Kalonzo Musyoka and his faction of the Azimio la Umoja coalition reject participation in the Kenya Kwanza-led national unity government, emphasizing the need for a national convention over dialogue to effectively address the country’s issues.
