Azimio to hold two-day retreat in wake of fall-out with key members 

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition will hold a two-day retreat to take stock of the gains and losses made since Parliament went for recess in December last year.

Leaders are expected to check in tomorrow at Stoni Athi Resort and meet on Friday morning before attending a rally at Mavoko, Machakos county, in the afternoon.

Their retreat comes in the wake of a visit to President William Ruto at State House yesterday morning by a section of Nyanza leaders elected on Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) tickets (see story above).

The visit is seen as part of Ruto’s political strategy to slow down opposition leader Raila Odinga’s rallies.

ODM’s Director of Political Affairs and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) said that as a coalition there was a need to take stock of how the political divide has performed its functions, both in and out of parliament.

“We are gearing up for commencement of the second session of the 13th National Assembly and it is important that we take stock,” he said.

The retreat also comes at a time when some of Raila’s key allies have been skipping his weekly rallies.

But Wandayi (left) said: “Attendance of these rallies is not on the agenda. We operate in a democratic space and these rallies are public events to which everyone is invited”.

Wandayi, a close ally of Raila, further disclosed that the retreat is mainly for housekeeping purposes.

Meanwhile, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni yesterday said Azimio would hold major rallies in Nakuru County later this month. 

This came up as Kioni held a meeting at Jubilee’s regional headquarters in Nakuru with the party’s leadership at the county level.

Joseph Gichuru, the branch chairperson, described the meeting as successful, having been attended by grassroot leaders and elected and nominated members. 

“We have deliberated on matters affecting the county and Kenya. With the guidance of the national office, we shall forge a way forward,” he said.

Former Nakuru County Speaker Joel Kairu said some of the actions by the Ruto-led administration had left them in shock.

Additional reporting by Roy Lumbe