President Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid to unite opposition leaders to face off with Deputy President William Ruto is getting tougher with One Kenya Alliance (OKA) leaders saying they will not be coerced to support any presidential candidate.
The group, which consists of Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon Moi, and Moses Wetangula insists that it is united, and dispelling rumors that some of the principals are holding secret meetings with opposition leader Raila Odinga and Ruto camps for a possible alliance.
“OKA is a united team that is set to develop the country. I call upon the media to be responsible in their reporting and stop spreading propaganda of me having secret meetings with Raila. My meetings are with Mudavadi, Jirongo, Wetangula and Gideon,” Kalonzo said.
Speaking in Thika after attending a Sunday church service, ANC counterpart Musalia Mudavadi said Kenyans should be left to choose a leader of their choice.
“Kenya should be ruled by the rule of law and the principle of democracy should be allowed to reign supreme. We need peace and we should be preaching peace and everyone should be allowed to campaign in any part of the country,” he said.
The sentiments came the President hosted the trio at State House, Nairobi, on Saturday amid reports that he whipped them to drop their bids and support Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader’s presidential bid.
This was the third meeting after the two that were held in Mombasa in August.
Moi, Mudavadi and Kalonzo had previously declared their intentions to run for presidency individually under their respective parties before announcing their alliance.
The alliance announced its countrywide presidential campaigns on Friday in Kakamega town, adding that they would be naming their presidential candidate in the next eight weeks.
