OPPOSITION COALITION

Shape up or ship out, Azimio tells rebel MPs

The coalition warned that it will not tolerate betrayal.

In Summary
  • The coalition warned that it will take firm and decisive action against MPs betraying the opposition’s course.
  • Azimio said State House has no constitutional mandate or power to appropriate funds.
ODM leader Raila Odinga at Azimio rally in Kibra on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
ODM leader Raila Odinga at Azimio rally in Kibra on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/TWITTER

Azimio coalition has asked perceived rebels hobnobbing with president William Ruto’s administration to shape up or ship out.

The opposition coalition led by Raila Odinga warned the politicians that flirtations and cohabitations with the Kenya Kwanza regime under whatever pretext are no longer acceptable.

As part of the resolutions following a two-day Azimio parliamentary group meeting, the coalition warned that it will take firm and decisive action against MPs betraying the opposition’s course.

“Azimio therefore asks its elected leaders to shape up or ship out. There will be no two ways about this,” the coalition said in a statement.

Azimio said it is currently engaged in a just struggle for the nation which it described as a struggle for good standard of living , struggle for democracy and struggle to safeguard that hard won multi-party political system.

Saying the country hard-won multi-party democracy is under threat from the Kenya Kwanza administration, Azimio said it will not tolerate acts of betrayal.

“In this struggle we shall not tolerate acts that amount to a betrayal of the dreams and aspirations of the people of Kenya,” Azimio said in the statement.

The coalition insisted that leaders should use the parliamentary platform to push for more resources for their people than to visit President Ruto at State House, ostensibly for development.

“Development is to be sought in Parliament which appropriates resources and not from State House. State House has no constitutional mandate or power to appropriate funds,” Azimio said.

“That mandate and power resides in the two houses of Parliament; Senate and National Assembly. Our people must not succumb to the blackmail, dirty politics and dirty money being dished out by the regime that is struggling for legitimacy.”

Earlier this week,MPs including Senator Tom Ojienda, MPs Gideon Ochanda, Caroli Omondi, Elisha Odhiambo, Paul Abuor, Mark Nyamita and Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o visited Ruto at State House.

The ODM party has kicked off the process of ejecting the rebels from the party, a move that could see them lose their seats.

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