Wetang’ula Urges Azimio Hardliners: Drop Resistance, Support Ruto
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Azimio co-principals to support the unity government established by President William Ruto.
On Wednesday, Ruto nominated four Azimio leaders associated with Opposition chief Raila Odinga into his revamped cabinet of 20 members.
Raila indicated that he wasn’t consulted but endorsed the nominations and wished the appointees success.
Ruto committed to collaborating with all leaders regardless of their political affiliations to unite the country following a series of street protests.
However, some Azimio co-principals did not receive the move well.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Narc Kenya counterpart Martha Karua have consistently stated they won’t cooperate with Ruto.
Ruto has yet to announce the nominees for the Attorney General’s office and the Ministry of East African Community and ASAL.
Both Kalonzo and Karua have dismissed the idea of being nominated as the next Attorney General.
In a statement on Saturday, Wetang’ula called for collaboration from all leaders, emphasizing that a unity government is crucial for the country’s stability.
“I urge other Azimio leaders to abandon their hardline stance and cooperate in forming a unity government, vital for Kenya’s economic stability and prosperity,” he said.
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The speaker made these remarks on Saturday during the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction of Webuye East Technical Training Institute.
Wetang’ula called on leaders from the Western region opposing the President’s proposals to unite in supporting the government.
This comes after a group of political leaders from western Kenya met in Nairobi to strategize for the region’s future.
They criticized leaders from the region holding senior government positions for failing to advocate for Western’s interests.
However, Wetang’ula asserted that leaders serving Kenyans should be respected and supported to fulfill their mandates.
“I urged Luhya leaders opposing President Ruto’s initiatives to remember that Kenya’s well-being surpasses individual interests and to respect the leaders appointed to serve in the government,” the Speaker added.
Wetang’ula emphasized that it is through the selfless and patriotic actions of the political class that national healing will occur following the recent period of youth-led demands for reforms and improved governance.
He praised the former prime minister for responding to the President’s call.
“This has been reinforced by Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who positively responded to President William Ruto’s call for a broad-based cabinet, thereby promoting the nation’s healing and stability,” he said.
The recent political developments have led to differing opinions among Azimio co-principals on whether to join Ruto.
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On Friday, Kalonzo stated that his conscience would not allow him to work with the Kenya Kwanza government.
He said even the President knows they can’t work together.
“They think I, Kalonzo Musyoka, can join their government? I can’t, my conscience won’t allow it. For the love of this nation, we will stand. Even President William Ruto knows that I will be his opposition,” Kalonzo said.
Narc Kenya and Wiper party allies were excluded from Ruto’s latest cabinet nominations.
There were rumors that either of them might be considered for the Attorney General’s post, which they both rejected.
“Thanks, not interested,” Karua said on Saturday in response to a social media user suggesting she take up the AG role.
On Thursday, her party Narc Kenya issued a notice to leave the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.
Karua tweeted that their stay in Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance is no longer viable.
The official notice of exit was communicated in a letter to coalition secretary-general Junet Mohammed by acting secretary-general Asha Bashir.
“Please note that our stay in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is not tenable due to the prevailing political developments,” she said.
“As Narc Kenya, by this letter, we are giving notice to exit the Coalition as stipulated in the exit clauses of the Coalition Agreement. This notice is effective from the date of this letter,” she added.
Wetang’ula Urges Azimio Hardliners: Drop Resistance, Support Ruto
