Kalonzo’s Wiper Seeks to Exit Azimio Over Running Mate Row

The Wiper Democratic Movement Party, led by Kalonzo Musyoka will apparently drag Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya alliance to court on Monday.

On Sunday, Makueni Member of Parliament Dan Maanzo, a lawyer for the Wiper Party, told the media that talks to have Kalonzo be Raila Odinga’s running mate fell through.

Odinga did not want Kalonzo to be his running mate in the August elections, Maanzo said.

As a result, the former vice president’s will seek to leave the coalition party.

Read: Mutua, Kingi’s Azimio Exit Is Of No Consequence – Murathe

“The agreement of Azimio-OKA has legal issues. As wiper and its lawyers, we are approaching the High Court tomorrow seeking to impeach the agreement of Azimio-OKA and I believe the court is a court of justice and will guide the political parties correctly… and we are able to prove that the current agreement is illegal and unconstitutional. That will mean every party in azimio-oka will go its own way,” said Maanzo.

He pointed out that the only reason Kalonzo put his presidential ambitions on hold was so that he could run for the deputy presidency.

“We had conducted a National Delegates Conference which authorised Kalonzo to run for president and also negotiate with like-minded parties to team up and form a coalition. But the only reason Kalonzo withdrew his presidential ambitions is so that he may run as a deputy of Raila.

“Now that it seems from the indications so far that Raila Odinga no longer wishes to work with Kalonzo and his party Wiper, it is clear that there will be no Raila Odinga without Kalonzo,” he added.

Read Also: Raila to Name Running Mate on Monday

Odinga, according to the MP, is set on not having Kalonzo as his running mate.

“The only thing that can avert this is further negotiations and nothing much seems to come out of it. Raila seems very fixed in his quest against Kalonzo’s deputy presidency,” he said.

Kalonzo was also a no-show at Raila’s Kamukunji rally. Also absent was Kanu’s Gideon Moi.

The duo later shared a picture via social media. They were in what seemed like a relaxed atmosphere.

Read Also: Rigathi Gachagua It is! Ruto Picks Running Mate

If successful, Wiper will become the third party to exit the coalition party.

Last week, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap and Amason Kingi’s PAA exited the coalition party.

The two alleged sidelining and blackmailing of “smaller” parties.

Odinga is set to announce his running mate on Monday at 11 am at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).