Raphael Tuju, the Executive Director of the Azimio Secretariat, has broken his silence on Governor Alfred Mutua and Amason Kingi’s withdrawal from the coalition, noting that the decision was not unexpected.
Tuju told journalists at the Serena Hotel on Monday that the duo was playing both sides and had been in active talks with Kenya Kwanza for a period of time.
According to the former Jubilee secretary general, the demand for the signed contract at the center of the controversy was merely for benchmarking purposes against the deal they were negotiating with the other party.
“Some of them were negotiating with the other side and needed this document for purposes of benchmarking, and since we knew this from our intelligence, there was no reason to continue to engage them,” Tuju said.
Read: Governor Alfred Mutua Ditches Azimio for DP Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza
Tuju compared the paper in question to a marriage certificate, claiming that a certificate does not create a marriage in and of itself.
Any union, he alleged, only invites the willing, and no one can be forced to participate in any activity against their will.
A marriage certificate does not make the marriage, it does not matter what is in the document, the document of the coalition is just a document, what is carried to the next level is good will,” Tuju added.
“If they leave a marriage because of a marriage certificate, is that honesty?”
Read Also: Senator Wambua Threatens to Quit Azimio Running Mate Vetting Panel Over Shortlisting of Ngilu
Tuju also slammed suggestions that the parties that left the alliance had not read the agreement they signed with Azimio La Umoja on March 26.
“They know what they signed, and they read, if you tell me you signed without reading, whose problem is that?” Tuju posed.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Machakos Governor has joined the Kenya Kwanza camp and has pledged to campaign for DP William Ruto ahed of the August polls.
Mutua said that his Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) party had sealed the deal on Sunday night and that he has in his possession documents of the pact, “unlike in Azimio.”
Read Also: Alfred Mutua Threatens Legal Action Against Parties Registrar Over Azimio Coalition Agreement
MCC and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi’s Pamoja African Alliance party wrote to the Registrar of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu, on Monday morning, indicating their decision to exit the Azimio Coalition.
“I have received only two (requests of parties wanting to leave the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party); the Maendeleo Chap Chap and the Pamoja African Alliance,” confirmed Nderitu.
While Kingi is yet to make the move official, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale has stated that he will formally join tomorrow (Tuesday).
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