Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Presidential secretariat has taken a swipe at President-elect William Ruto for 'poaching' its MPs.
In a statement on Friday, the secretariat spokesperson Makau Mutua accused the UDA party leader of 'buying' its MPs to create a vain impression that he is more powerful.
"We are shocked that DP William Ruto, who harbours dreams of leading Kenya, is already engaged in acts of impunity and disregard of the rule of law "Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua said in the statement.
He added that the tactic seeks to revert the country back to the KANU era where the independence of the legislature was ignored.
"He ought to know democracy requires vibrant pluralism in which different political parties compete on issues. Attempts to cannibalize Azimio by corrupting its members will not succeed," he said, noting that the Azimio Deed of Agreement binds all members to the Coalition.
"There are clear guidelines. Ruto should know that it is illegal for him, or others, to induce members to purport to leave Azimio."
Mutua said no one has left, despite the news that members and a party have decamped the Raila Odinga team.
"No member of Azimio has legally invoked the process of leaving the coalition. All the members who signed as original members are still members in good standing. So, any purported defections are a legal nullity."
Mutua further lashed out at Ruto saying he is already disregarding the rule of law despite promising to abide by it.
He pointed out that the democracy Kenya enjoys dictates that all political parties compete on various issues.
The lawyer asked Ruto to stop engaging in what he termed a "culture of political corruption".
He further expressed confidence in that the court's verdict will favour the Coalition.
"The court will be the final arbiter on who won this election, and we are confident that we won it."
"Why has Ruto panicked and resorted to illegal and corrupt conduct in violation of the law? It can only be because he has sensed defeat".
Mutua urged all Azimio and Independent elected leaders to avoid shifting.
"We ask our supporters and those elected on Azimio, or as Independents, to stand firm to vindicate our democracy."
