Karua Opposes Odinga’s Relationship with Kenya Kwanza Government

Martha Karua has rejected collaboration with Raila Odinga, criticizing his ambiguous position between the government and opposition. She calls for a formal coalition with the Kenya Kwanza alliance or a clear commitment to the opposition. Odinga, in turn, questions the feasibility of Fred Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions due to a lack of national support.

Martha Karua, leader of the People’s Liberation Party, has explicitly rejected any future collaboration with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. This decision arises amid growing scrutiny of Odinga’s relationship with President William Ruto’s administration. Karua argues that Odinga’s current stance, which straddles both the government and the opposition, is untenable from a legal standpoint. She calls for him to either form an official coalition with the Kenya Kwanza alliance or fully align with the opposition.

Karua criticizes Odinga for engaging with the government without having a legally binding agreement with President Ruto and labels this behavior as unlawful. She underlines the requirement for formalizing any partnership in line with constitutional regulations, thus ending what she describes as an “illegal cohabitation” within the Kenya Kwanza government.

The political landscape for Raila Odinga is precarious. He has just wrapped up a two-week nationwide consultative tour, concluding with a meeting in Nairobi that focused on the issues concerning the Social Health Authority (SHA). Furthermore, during a forum in Wajir, Odinga ruled out the possibility of allying with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Odinga has expressed skepticism about the presidential aspirations of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. He emphasized that successful candidacies must draw support from all parts of the country, not just regional bases. Speaking to constituents in Kisii County, Odinga remarked that merely securing votes from Matiang’i’s home region would be inadequate for a presidential win.

“Someone running for the presidency cannot be elected based on Kisii votes, Luo votes, Luhya votes, or even Mount Kenya votes,” Odinga stated, emphasizing the need for broader national support. He added that he has not yet received any definitive confirmation from Matiang’i regarding his intentions to run, suggesting that current reports are speculative.

In summary, Martha Karua’s firm stance against Raila Odinga’s engagement with the Kenya Kwanza government highlights the complexities of the current political landscape in Kenya. Her call for Odinga to choose a clear political path underscores the need for formal agreements within political alliances. Meanwhile, Odinga’s skepticism about Matiang’i’s potential run for presidency reflects the importance of widespread national support in Kenya’s political arena.

Original Source: www.mwakilishi.com