MARTHA KARUA’S NARC KENYA ANNOUNCES EXIT FROM AZIMIO LA UMOJA COALITION

NARC KENYA ANNOUNCES EXIT FROM AZIMIO LA UMOJA COALITION

The Narc Kenya party has formally declared its intention to withdraw from the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition due to current political developments. The declaration was conveyed in a letter to Junet Mohammed, secretary general of the coalition, from Asha Bashir, the acting secretary general of Narc Kenya.

“In view of the prevailing political developments, it is not tenable to continue being part of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition,” Asha Bashir said in the letter. “As such, Narc Kenya hereby gives notice to exit the Coalition as stipulated in the exit clauses of the Coalition Agreement. The notice takes effect immediately upon receipt of this letter.”

The decision is a major turn of events for Narc Kenya, underlining its split from the coalition in the wake of protests over the Finance Bill 2024 and rising political temperatures. The protests caused loss of life and forced President William Ruto to ostracize the bill back to Parliament for re-look and editing. Ruto sacked his whole Cabinet, with the exception of one minister, promising to appoint what he called a “broad-based government” that represented the diversity of Kenya.

The first batch of Ruto’s cabinet nominees was proposed on 19 July, comprising figures from different political corners, notably six former Cabinet Secretaries and 10 additional members. The move received mixed reactions across the board, speculating on future appointments to be done, suggesting Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the Attorney General position.

However, Kalonzo Musyoka was quick to quash such speculations, saying neither he nor his party had received any formal offers. Any thought of appointing him Attorney General under the Ruto administration remained rather unrealistic in view of his assertion: “That thing about Attorney General is a mirage.”

On the other hand, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua has been vocal on the incorporation of a national unity government under Ruto, instead calling for a strong opposition to keep the government on its toes. At the same time, Karua maintained a good relationship with Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga despite the withdrawal of the party from Azimio and said she was open to continued talks.

“We talked not too long ago, and we’ll be able to talk again; the lines are open,” Karua said in an interview recently, saying she remains engaged in Kenya’s politics.