Kalonzo Musyoka Asks Raila To Relinquish Azimio's Leadership After His Deal With Ruto: "Untenable"

• Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said ODM leader Raila Odinga cannot continue being the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party leader
• Kalonzo said Raila's recent deal with President William Ruto makes it untenable for him to continue leading the opposition
• The former vice president said the Azimio la Umoja governing council would meet to decide the minority leadership in Parliament

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Embu-Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to take over the leadership of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party.

During a press briefing in Embu on Sunday, August 18, Kalonzo said ODM leader Raila Odinga will not be allowed to continue leading the opposition after joining hands with President William Ruto.

Why Kalonzo is unhappy with Raila leading the opposition

According to Kalonzo, Raila cannot continue leading Azimio la Umoja, yet his party has 'joined' the broad-based government.

"We wish Raila Odinga well in his quest to become African Union Commission chair, but it is untenable that he remains the opposition coalition's leader after some members of his party joined the government," said Kalonzo.

At the same time, the former vice president said the ODM party would not continue to hold minority leadership in the National Assembly.

Kalonzo said the Azimio la Umoja governing council would meet on Monday, August 19, to select the minority leader in Parliament.

"The coalition's governing council will be meeting tomorrow to determine who will be the official opposition leader in Parliament as members of the ODM party cannot be in government and hold the position at the same time," he added.

Why cracks are widening in Azimio la Umoja

Meanwhile, the cracks within the Azimio la Umoja Coalition widened after Jeremiah Kioni denied Raila's allegations that former President Uhuru Kenyatta was involved in forming Ruto's broad-based government.

Speaking to the press on Wednesday, August 14, Kioni stated that Uhuru's stance is that he cannot be involved in a government that has allegedly caused significant havoc in the country.

He asserted that Raila's claims that Uhuru encouraged him to talk to Ruto were untrue and inaccurate.

He also referenced a letter from Uhuru, dated July 25, urging national leaders to listen to the concerns raised by Kenyans.

The Jubilee party secretary general added that it was inappropriate for Raila to invoke Uhuru's name in his decision.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke