Azimio is State project, says Mudavadi

Kenya Kwanza leaders have maintained that Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja Movement is a State project and asked Kenyans to reject its proponents at the General Elections.

The team, led by ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangúla (Ford Kenya) and a host of UDA legislators, cautioned Uhuru against forcing his preferred successor on Kenyans.

Mudavadi urged Kenyans to reject Azimio La Umoja saying the movement exists only to serve the interests of a few well-connected people.

“You can see they hold their meetings under tents in big hotels; nowhere near the common man. The bills incurred during these meetings are cleared by the State. Government money is being used to pay for illegal meetings,” added Mudavadi.

Speaking at a rally in City Park Nairobi, Githogoro, Mwimuto and Kangamei, the ANC party leader said government money was spent during the Azimio La Umoja meeting held in Kakamega on Monday.
Mudavadai downplayed recent defections in his party saying those who left had been paid.

“How can an MP say he left because he wants to be in the next government? The work of an MP is not to be in government. We will see if the government will elect you,” he stated.

Wetangula said strides made by Uhuru during his tenure as President will be soiled by his push to have Raila succeed him.

“We want to eliminate politics of narrow minded patronage. We respect you Mr President but stop the project because Kenyans do not need it,” he said.

Present were senators Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi) and Millicent Omanga (Nominated).

Others were Lang’ata MP Nixon Korir, Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and UDA chairman Johnson Muthama.

Korir said Kenya Kwanza leaders will traverse the country explaining their agenda and asking for support politely.
“The others are a State project and they want to force their leader on Kenyans,” he said.

Gachagua said Raila should not disrespect Mudavadi and Wetangúla for teaming up with the Deputy President.

“They were good when they were on your side but they are now terrible people because they have joined the Deputy President. Stop insulting them because of the stand they have taken,” he said.
Kindiki cautioned Kenyans against coercing Kenyans to support Azimio La Umoja. “I’ve have been the Presidents spanner boy for almost eight years but I want to tell him that the business he is in will leave him embarrassed. You cannot force Kenyans to elect Raila,”he said.

Kindiki, who is former Senate Majority Leader, reiterated that he respects the President but advised him against forcing Kenyans to support Raila.

Sakaja said it will the ordinary Kenyans who will elect their next president and not ‘State House’

“The State House project will fail because the people who will chose the president are the ordinary people,” he added.
Muthama said President Uhuru determination to see Raila becomes his successor will end in embarrassment.
Wamalwa said Kenyans should get a president “elected by the people and not State House”

Cheruiyot accused proponents of Azimio La Umoja of behind the purported line up of the Kenya Kwanza alliance that has made headlines in the media.

“We want to tell our opponents not to bother with our line up. We have our plans and we know who will take what position when the right time comes,” he said.
Ichung’wa said the priority of Kenya Kwanza would be to uplift Kenyans economically while the rivals are keen on changing the Constitution if they ascend to power.