The Head of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Youth League, Solomon Kuria, resigned and this did not give a good image of the coalition.
In a letter to Azimio chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Kuria explains the reasons behind his resignation decision.
Did you read this?
Mr.Solomon said he was kept in the dark regarding recent demands for mass action, and that he disagrees with Azimio's stance as an opposition organization and its view on President William Ruto's administration's Hustler Fund.
This is what he said in his full statement:
As a result of extensive consultations among key stakeholders, the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party was established. At all times, the rule of law and protection of an environment that is suitable for investors and Kenyans, in general, to work, conduct business, and perform their daily tasks were agreed-upon guiding principles.
We recorded the decision to only rely on the courts in the event that we lost the elections. There was consensus on killing the culture of waste associated with disputed elections when the resolving of the same was subject to extrajudicial resolutions.
I appreciate the leadership of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio for preaching nonviolence before, during, and after elections. Elections were held more over a year ago, but things quickly calmed down in the nation.
I was therefore really alarmed to see that Azimio had planned to stage protests, which were later scaled back to what are now being referred to as "Citizen engagement rallies." There was even talk of holding rival Jamhuri Celebrations in Nairobi.
Given that I represent the Party's youth membership, which makes up the majority of its membership, it seems odd that nobody saw the need to contact or inform me of any of these initiatives.
To be on the safe side, I would have flatly refused the same, as it goes against everything I believed the Coalition to be for.
We all understand that when these activities turn violent, youth are almost usually the victims. Although I am aware that the Kamukunji rally was peaceful, it is incomprehensible how leaders could be content with young people spending an entire day listening to them two months after a taxing election campaign, especially in light of the COVID 19 pandemic and the extremely high cost of living. Young people should be working or looking for opportunities, not being held captive by pointless political rallies.
The Azimio leadership could have easily reached its adherents through various channels. I was equally as shocked to learn that senior officials in the Azimio organization encouraged youth to keep any money they had received from the government. A good leader would understand that this is taxpayer money that functions as a revolving fund and, as such, only contributes to the transformation of lives after the first recipients have paid back.
These and numerous other factors give me the impression that this Party has deviated from the course that was predetermined at its inception. I can't even be an official member of a political party that seems to represent everything I don't agree with. I'm writing to let you know that I've decided to leave my position as the Azimio Youth League Chairman with immediate effect.
Thank you for giving me the chance to help.
