Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Presidential Secretariat has slammed President-elect William Ruto for ‘poaching’ its MPs.
In a statement issued on Friday, secretariat spokesperson Makau Mutua accused the UDA party leader of ‘buying’ its MPs in order to give the impression that he is more powerful.
“We are shocked that DP William Ruto, who harbours dreams of leading Kenya, is already engaged in acts of impunity and disregard of the rule of law,” the statement read in part.
He went on to say that the strategy aims to return the country to the KANU era, when the legislature’s independence was ignored.
“He ought to know democracy requires vibrant pluralism in which different political parties compete on issues. Attempts to cannibalize Azimio by corrupting its members will not succeed,” he said.
“There are clear guidelines. Ruto should know that it is illegal for him, or others, to induce members to purport to leave Azimio,” he added.
Despite reports that members and a party have defected from Raila Odinga’s team, Mutua claims that no one has left.
“No member of Azimio has legally invoked the process of leaving the coalition. All the members who signed as original members are still members in good standing. So, any purported defections are a legal nullity.”
Mutua went on to accuse Ruto of already disregarding the rule of law despite promising to do so.
He emphasized that Kenya’s democracy requires all political parties to compete on a variety of issues.
The lawyer urged Ruto to abandon what he called a “culture of political corruption.”
He also expressed confidence that the court’s decision would favor the Coalition.
“The court will be the final arbiter on who won this election, and we are confident that we won it.”
“Why has Ruto panicked and resorted to illegal and corrupt conduct in violation of the law? It can only be because he has sensed defeat”.
Mutua urged all Azimio and Independent elected officials to stay put.
“We ask our supporters and those elected on Azimio, or as Independents, to stand firm to vindicate our democracy.”