President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga will tomorrow officially launch Azimio La Umoja coalition party and unveil its structure.
A proposed structure shows Kenyatta will become chairman of the coalition party in a move that will keep him politically active after his presidency, while Raila will be the coalition’s presidential candidate.
The coalition has created four posts of deputy chairperson in a structure similar to ODM’s 2007 pentagon that brought together regional kingpins.
The deputy chairpersons will be picked from Coast, Western, North Eastern and either Nairobi or Eastern regions.
Apart from Jubilee and ODM, the anchor parties in the coalition, there are a dozen other outfits set to sign the coalition agreement.
They include Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) associated with Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Upya Movement linked to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani, Maendeleo Chap Chap of Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Party of National Unity (PNU) and Ubuntu People’s Forum linked to Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
Others are Narc of Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Kenya Union Party of West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, United Democratic Movement of Mandera Governor Ali Roba, Devolution Empowerment Party of Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, Muungano Party of Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, Pamoja African Alliance Party, which is affiliated with Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, and National Ordinary People Empowered Union linked to East African Legislative Assembly lawmaker Mpuri Aburi.
At least fifteen political parties have lined up to formally join the movement and subsequently endorse Raila’s presidential bid tomorrow at a National Delegates Conference (NDC) which will be held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Preparations for unveiling of the grand coalition were yesterday at the tail end amid concerted efforts to reunite Raila and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
OKA, which brings together Kalonzo (Wiper), Baringo Senator Gideon (Kanu), Martha Karua (Narc) and Cyrus Jirongo (UDP), has yet to declare whether it will join Azimio la Umoja Movement.
The signing of the pre-election coalition paves way for the outfit to field one presidential candidate in the August 9 General Election which means OKA cannot join other coalitions such as Azimio La Umoja.
This means that individual parties in OKA can enter pre-election negotiation with Azimio, for instance, if Wiper Party strikes a deal with Azimio La Umoja, it would have to formally resign from OKA before it can be allowed to join the other coalition of choice.
Earlier in the week, Raila indicated that the movement was ready to craft a winning campaign vehicle without OKA. “We will deal with those who come to us; we will not force anybody to come to Azimio,” he said.
So far affiliate parties have since sent out invites to 20 delegates each for the event that will be followed by a major political rally.
“Clarification on attendance to Azimio meeting of Saturday March 12, 2022. Each political party in Azimio will only be allowed 20 delegates,” reads a text message to party officials.
“The ceremony is simply one for signing of the coalition agreement and not a convention in the style of NDC,” it added.
Head of Raila’s campaign team and Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi described the event as a decisive moment that will largely influence the August 9 elections.
“We have completed the preparations, and our main agenda is unveiling our presidential candidate, approval of colours and symbol. I expect a colourful and vibrant event. A decisive moment of this campaign. We have lined up a rally afterwards at Jacaranda grounds,” said Muriithi.
ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed said President Kenyatta was expected to attend since all party leaders backing Azimio have been invited to the jamboree.
“It will be a big day for us. We expect over fifteen parties to sign the coalition agreement. I may not know the diary of the President but all-party leaders have been invited,” he said.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and his DAP-K counterpart Eseli Simiyu yesterday said they expect all parties to unanimously pick Raila for the top seat.
“We expect the ODM nominee for president under Azimio, our party leader Raila Odinga, to be formally endorsed as the coalition flag bearer,” said Sifuna.