Karua bolts out of Azimio, says NARC Kenya's stay in coalition no longer tenable

A bitter fallout has erupted in the Azimio coalition following the decision by NARC Kenya Leader Martha Karua to pull out her party from the outfit.

Karua in a protest letter by her party on Thursday indicated that their stay as a party in the coalition is no longer tenable following prevailing political developments.

"Kindly take note that our stay in Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition is not tenable due to the prevailing political developments," the letter by Narc Kenya Acting Secretary General Asha Bahir addressed to the Azimio Secretary Junet Mohammed read.

"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."

The fallout stems from the apparent overtures of President William Ruto towards the opposition that has seen him nominate senior figures of ODM into his newly-reconstituted cabinet.

According to the party, the notice is effective from the date of the letter.

ODM figures in cabinet

On Wednesday, four members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) were nominated by Ruto to join the cabinet.

Ruto nominated ODM Chairperson John Mbadi as the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, with National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi bagging the Energy and Petroleum docket.

Raila's two deputies, Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, too, were picked as nominees for Mining and Cooperatives, respectively.

In the past few days, the opposition Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya has squabbled over joining Ruto's government as other affiliates opposed a partnership with Ruto.

The fights have been equally scathing within ODM which is seen seemingly divided about joining Kenya Kwanza to help stem widespread discontent over the government's running of affairs.

The President's announcement, which also included the recycling of former CSs, was met with fury by Kenyans on social media, who questioned his commitment to overhauling the broken system that disenfranchises most.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Thursday stated that he has no interest in the position of Attorney General in the Ruto cabinet.

Kalonzo clarified that he has not been offered the role amid ongoing rumours that he had been proposed for the post.

"Nobody has offered any position to me or Wiper. That thing about the Attorney General is a mirage. I may be senior counsel which is okay, maybe that's the attraction but this guy has been Vice President of the Republic and has been a minister in many portfolios, do you expect me to serve Ruto as Attorney General? I think he's expecting too much," he said.

He emphasised that his previous role as Vice President surpasses the position of Attorney General in terms of responsibility.

Karua, a Principal in the Azimio coalition, is known for her hard stance against engaging Ruto's administration.

She vehemently opposed the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report that was a result of talks between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalitions.