Martha Karua has ruled out collaboration with Raila Odinga amid scrutiny of his ties with President Ruto. She deems Odinga’s actions as legally unsustainable, urging him to choose between the ruling coalition and opposition. Odinga is cautious about potential candidates for the presidency, emphasizing the requirement of broad national support for electoral success.
Martha Karua, leader of the People’s Liberation Party, has decisively announced her refusal to collaborate with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. This statement comes amid growing scrutiny of Odinga’s interactions with President William Ruto’s administration. Karua argues that Odinga’s current stance of straddling both government and opposition is legally untenable, necessitating a clear decision: to either formalize an alliance with the Kenya Kwanza coalition or fully commit to the opposition.
Karua has criticized Odinga for engaging with the government without a legally binding agreement, labeling such actions as unlawful. She insists on the importance of formalizing any agreement with Ruto in alignment with constitutional provisions, thereby putting an end to what she describes as an “illegal cohabitation” with the Kenya Kwanza government. Odinga’s political future is becoming more ambiguous as he navigates these challenging dynamics.
Odinga recently completed a two-week consultative tour, concluding with a meeting in Nairobi that addressed issues concerning the Social Health Authority (SHA). During a forum in Wajir, he dismissed the prospect of collaborating with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 general elections. His political maneuvers continue to invite scrutiny, as he cautiously assesses his alliances moving forward.
Additionally, Odinga has expressed skepticism regarding the viability of a presidential bid by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. He stressed the necessity of broad national support for a successful presidential campaign, asserting that reliance on votes from a single region, such as Kisii County, would not suffice to win. Following a meeting with Kisii County residents, he clarified that he has not received any formal declaration from Matiang’i about his presidential ambitions, labeling existing reports as speculative.
Odinga stated, “Someone running for the presidency cannot be elected based on Kisii votes, Luo votes, Luhya votes, or even Mount Kenya votes.” He emphasized that discussions related to potential candidacies would take place at an appropriate time, highlighting the current uncertainty surrounding Matiang’i’s intentions regarding the 2027 elections.
In conclusion, Martha Karua’s unequivocal stance against collaboration with Raila Odinga underscores the legal complexities of his current political engagements. By insisting on formal agreements with Ruto’s administration, Karua stresses the importance of constitutional adherence. Meanwhile, Odinga’s scrutiny of potential presidential candidates illustrates the significance of national support in electoral success, as he continues to navigate an uncertain political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.
Original Source: www.mwakilishi.com