Frantic efforts are underway to reunite ODM leader Raila Odinga and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka before the announcement of the Azimio-Oka presidential flagbearer.
On Saturday, the jumbo coalition will present its candidate to face off with Kenya Kwanza of Deputy President William Ruto, their main adversary in the August 9 general election.
However, the two are still pulling in different directions in their 'unity bid' and are yet to strike a deal despite President Uhuru Kenyatta’s involvement in the talks.
On Friday, Kanu appeared to break ranks with Kalonzo's tough conditions for working with Raila —Musyoka wants to be the presidential candidate — and announced the Independence Party will attend the Saturday meeting.
Kanu secretary general Nick Salat said the Kanu will be part and parcel of Azimio. He told Raila and Kalonzo to sort out their differences in time for the Saturday event.
“We are really geared towards unveiling our Azimio presidential candidate. Definitely, Kanu will attend the unveiling. Kanu will not be left out,” he said.
Wiper disagrees, saying they will stay away until a deal is inked.
Kalonzo-Raila feuding led to the postponement of the planned unveiling of Raila as the coalition’s candidate during the twin ODM and Jubilee National Delegates’ Conventions in Nairobi last Saturday.
On Friday, it emerged that behind-the-scenes efforts were in top gear to reconcile the former Nasa leaders to team up in time for Saturday’s event at Kasarani in Nairobi.
An MP close to Kalonzo disclosed to the Star in confidentiality that confidants of the two leaders have been negotiating to bring them together. He did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the discussions.
“There are people who are talking. It is only my hope that these matters will be resolved in good faith. People are talking but they have to be very honest,” the MP said.
“They have their own people who are talking. Then, the two will probably meet next week, before March 12. Kalonzo will attend the unveiling [of the candidate] if the issues are resolved,” he added.
A massive effort is underway to bring Kalonzo along...Raila has called for an end to confrontation with Kalonzo
Sources in Raila’s camp also intimated that a team of confidants of the ODM boss are engaging Kalonzo’s wing to broker a truce in time for the mega meeting.
Former Head of Civil Service Sally Kosgei is among those said to be spearheading the truce.
Others are Governors James Ongwae (Kisii), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) and Senator James Orengo.
"A massive effort is underway to bring Kalonzo along...Raila has called for an end to confrontation with Kalonzo," a source told the Star. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of he subject.
Raila agrees in a Public MoU to serve one term and publicly endorse Kalonzo as the presidential candidate for 2022
Kalonzo has insisted that the ODM leader back him for the country’s top seat in accordance with a deal they inked in 2017.
On Tuesday, the former vice president released to the public the secret document he said he had signed with Raila in April 2017.
In the document, the duo agreed that Raila would support Kalonzo for president in the 2022 general election whether or not the former Nasa coalition formed the government.
"Raila agrees in a Public MoU to serve one term and publicly endorse Kalonzo as the presidential candidate for 2022," the two-page document read.
After three years at the presidency, Raila was to delegate substantial national duties to Kalonzo and largely concentrate on international duties.
Tellingly, on Friday, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, a close ally of the Wiper leader believed to be among the hardliners in his camp, appeared to soften his stance.
When we say we look at the agreement and then agree, we are not saying that it must be enforced ... this is what we agreed, on that basis we agree how to move forward
Wambua was among the close confidants of the former vice president who flanked him during a press briefing last Tuesday.
“When we say that we look at the agreement and then agree, we are not saying that it must be enforced,” the legislator said.
“We are saying that there must be an acknowledgement that this is what we said and agreed, and then on the basis of that, we agree on how to move forward."
Wambua has been critical of Kalonzo’s support for Raila, saying the former Prime Minister should keep his word and support their leader, instead of dishonouring the agreement.
But even as the negotiations hit a crescendo, some Azimio partners insisted that they had already made up their minds on Raila’s candidature.
Speaking during Azimio rally in Kimilili, Bungoma county, DAP-K leader Wafula Wamunyinyi maintained that the outfit’s flagbearer has been identified.
"We have decided that our presidential candidate is Raila. That cannot change," Wamunyinyi declared.
At least 10 political parties coalesced around Azimio La Umoja. They include ODM, Jubilee, PAA, DAP-K, PNU, UPIA, KUP and UDM.
On Friday, UDP leader Cyrus Jirongo, a co-principal in the One Kenya Alliance, alongside Kalonzo, was upbeat their alliance will strike a deal with Raila’s Azimio by Saturday.
Kanu chairman Gideon Moi and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua are the other Oka principals. They are expected to sign a coalition agreement next week.
“Those [Raila and Kalonzo differences] are petty issues. We are united as Oka and we are coming as Oka," Gideon said.
"We are working on the (coalition) document. The rest of the process will be spelt out in the document,” he said.
Jirongo held that there "is no possibility" of Kalonzo declining to team up with Raila and other players under the Azimio-Oka movement.
“Kalonzo was just coughing out what was in his chest. What he was feeling bitter about. This is a delicate matter that we need concluded successfully,” he said.
We don’t know if Azimio will be a coalition political party or a coalition of political parties. Oka has also not signed agreement. That makes it very difficult for them to sit at the table
However, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, Kalonzo’s close ally, and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said no structured dialogue between the two leaders is ongoing.
“Ideally, we should be seeing some signs. They should have started some discussions."
Some deals should have been hammered out. But I am not quite sure if those critical talks have been done,” Mutula said.
The Senate minority chief whip held that besides the flagbearer, there is need for the parties to agree on the political vehicle their candidate will choose.
“We don’t know if Azimio will be a coalition political party or a coalition of political parties. Oka has also not signed its agreement. That makes it very difficult for them to sit at the table,” Mutula said.
Sifuna divulged that no arm of ODM is involved in any negotiations with their Wiper counterpart.
“I’m the ODM secretary general and I can confirm that there is no structured dialogue between us. We negotiate through the Central Committee,” he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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