- Maanzo said the name of Kalonzo was initially forwarded to IEBC as a presidential candidate before the formation of the Azimio coalition.
- Kalonzo said he decided to jump ship after being shortchanged in Azimio.
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka faces legal hurdles in his quest to be included in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
On Monday, Kalonzo announced he had defected from the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition after missing out on the running mate slot.
The Wiper leader further announced he will be contesting for the presidency and even named Andrew Leteipa Ole Sunkuli as his running mate.
Kalonzo indicated he decided to jump ship after being shortchanged in Azimio.
But the deal signed by Azimio parties on March 12 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre locked the partners into the coalition until three months after elections.
It means the 23 parties constituting the outfit can't leave the coalition at the moment in case of any disagreements.
The provision in the coalition agreement deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties also binds the partner without an option of bolting six months before the polls.
Kalonzo will therefore be heading to the court seeking to nullify the agreement in order to pave way for him to vie for the presidency.
The party’s lawyer and Makueni MP Dan Maanzo said they unanimously agreed that Kalonzo should exit the coalition.
"The agreement of Azimio-Oka has legal issues and we are approaching the High Court on Monday morning so the court can guide the political parties correctly and we will be able to prove the current agreement is illegal and unconstitutional," Maanzo said during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday.
Maanzo added a twist to the saga when he said the name of Kalonzo was initially forwarded to IEBC as a presidential candidate before the formation of the Azimio coalition and that had not been withdrawn.
IEBC extended the April 28 deadline of submitting running mate names to May 16, the day Kalonzo ditched Azimio.
“The date for submission of aspirant lists for presidential aspirants and their deputies as well as gubernatorial aspirants and their deputies will be on May 16,” IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said.
The IEBC has indicated it will clear aspirants who did not meet the deadline if they secure an order from the court or Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
On Saturday, Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu said Kalonzo has to be named Raila's running mate, failure to which he will go for the top seat.
He claimed the party has already collected 2,000 signatures across 24 counties, as a prerequisite for Kalonzo's candidature, in line with IEBC requirements.
"We are ready and we have also collected the required signatures," the MP said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)