Faith Nyasuguta
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has revealed that his party has joined an opposition coalition ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections in August. This, he says, is in a bid to clean up politics of “crooks“.
The declaration comes after Kenyatta’s anointed successor William Ruto, who seeks to contest the presidential election, was dismissed from the ruling Jubilee party.
“I heard one person saying that there is nowhere in the world where a government unites with and supports the opposition,” Kenyatta said, announcing that Jubilee was joining the Azimio la Umoja (Quest for Unity) coalition headed by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“Kenya will be the example. We are mature enough to distinguish between politics and the needs of the people.”
Traditionally, the East African powerhouse has been ruled by presidents from the Kikuyu tribe like Kenyatta or the Kalenjin tribe like Ruto.
So far, this year’s presidential bid is shaping up to be a two-horse race between Ruto and Raila, a centerpiece of Kenyan politics from the Luo community.
Initially, incumbent Vice President Ruto was anointed by Kenyatta as his successor. He however found himself marginalized after arch-foes Kenyatta and Odinga made public a truce in 2018.
“We are looking to create a movement that will deliver the country,” Kenyatta said.
In two weeks time, the Azimio la Umoja coalition is expected to pick its preferred presidential candidate
However, a number of observers say that Odinga’s nomination is a foregone conclusion.
“We are in this to restore the soul and secure the future of our people,” Odinga, the 77-year-old ex-political prisoner and ex- prime minister said on Saturday.
“If we stand together, I am sure nothing will defeat us.”
FACING THE ‘CROOKS’
In his view, Kenyatta said the coalition “will discuss and pick one strong man to face the crooks on the other side”.
For the past few elections, Kenya has been marred by violence pegged on the diverse population and ethnic voting blocs.
In the 2007 elections, more than 1,100 Kenyans lost their lives following a disputed election result.
The rapprochement between Odinga and Kenyatta came about after post-election fighting in 2017 left dozens of people dead.
The duo has unsuccessfully tried to introduce sweeping constitutional changes which according to them was a way to end repeated cycles of election violence.
The reforms — widely known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI)— suggested the expansion of the executive and parliament to more evenly divide the spoils of victory.
It was however seen by critics as a way to enable Kenyatta — a two-term president who cannot run for a third — to remain in power by establishing the post of prime minister.
A court ruling rejected the proposals and said Kenyatta could even be sued in a civil court for launching the process. The government has appealed that ruling.
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