He revealed that the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) will convene on Thursday, August 1 to deliberate on its fate in the coalition
The Party of National Unity (PNU) has hinted at pulling out of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, in a move that, should it happen, could shorten the lifespan of the opposition coalition and possibly lead to more exits.
PNU’s party leader, Peter Munya, while addressing the media on Monday, July 29, read betrayal by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party after four of its most prominent members were nominated for appointment to President William Ruto’s broad-based Cabinet.
He revealed that the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) will convene on Thursday, August 1 to deliberate on its fate in the coalition, adding that the party would not hesitate to cut ties with Azimio to safeguard its reputation as an opposition party.
Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya with other officials during a press conference on July 18, 2023. /FILE
“Next Thursday, there will be a PNU NEC meeting where we will decide our stand as a party regarding our relationship with the Azimio coalition because the ODM party has joined the government. And if they have joined the government, they can’t be in government and also in opposition.
“If Azimio has become part of the government, those of us who want to be in opposition have to separate ourselves so that we can continue to defend the citizens of Kenya,” Munya said.
The former Agriculture CS referred to the Constitution which stipulates that there must be people in government and people in opposition, not people on both sides.
Munya challenged Raila and other coalition partners to declare their true stance, despite Raila’s denial of a coalition government in the works owing to the ODM members being picked as Cabinet Secretary nominees.
At the same time, he decried the confusion in the opposition coalition, hinting at other affiliate parties uncertain about their tenures at Azimio.
“You can’t be in government and in opposition at the same time. So with a lot of respect to our partners in Azimio, we wish them well in government but they must make a decision to move completely into government or stay in opposition,” he added.
“As PNU, we believe we can a play better role when we are in the opposition and we are telling our brothers who are with us in Azimio to also make that choice. If they decide to join the government let them join fully so that it is clear who is playing where…right now there is confusion.”
Munya also made it clear that he hasn’t been offered a role in Ruto’s administration and would respectfully turn it down if he were, arguing that he can drive more meaningful change by working directly with the people of Kenya, rather than being part of a government that faces many difficulties.
His remarks come after NARC Kenya and its party leader, Martha Karua, left the Azimio la Umoja coalition, with Karua sharing a letter from the party dated Thursday, July 25, which read “Kindly take note that our stay in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is not tenable due to the prevailing political developments.”
“As NARC Kenya by way of this letter, we are giving notice to exit the Coalition as stipulated in the exit clause (s) in the Coalition Agreement. This notice is effective from the date of this letter,” reads the letter in part.
