“Am in Azimio to Stay,” former President Uhuru Kenyatta Vows

Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has maintained that he was still a firm supporter of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance.

“I am a supporter of Azimio with no intention to change my allegiance. I stand with my personal principals and I hold to what I believe in. We are there to stay, we are proud of it and we are hopeful of a bright future,” he said as he reiterated his call for national unity. “The desire for leadership should not exceed the problems of ordinary citizens. We will not engage in negative politics,” he spoke after attending a service at the Mwingi Full Gospel Church in Kitui County.

His host, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka defended the retired President’s participation in politics.

“Our brother here has his constitutional right as a citizen of this country to belong and to a political (formation). It does not mean that because his is not in office now he should remain silent and not speak when things are wrong. He can’t keep quiet when the country is burning,” Kalonzo said.

He re-affirmed that Azimio will not give up on its fight for multiparty democracy, and accused the ruling alliance of a scheme to kill the voice of opposition. He also reiterated that remains the bona fide Jubilee Party Leader.

“He has not given up his position as the leader of Jubilee Party,” Kalonzo told the gathering. “When you oppress Jubilee, you are also oppressing Wiper and other affiliate parties in the Azimio Coalition.”

Respect for party autonomy has been one of the key demands that Azimio has been making to the government as part of the negotiations that Kalonzo co-chairs with Kimani Ichungwah, the Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly.