MOMBASA,Kenya, Aug 10 – President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday met with opposition political leaders at State House Mombasa in the latest series of similar meetings in recent months.
Kenyatta held a consultative meeting with ODM supremo Raila Odinga, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi, Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, KANU’s Gideon Moi and Kakamega Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya.
According to State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, the leaders held lengthy deliberations on key subjects affecting the country.
“Among the subjects discussed by the leaders were, Covid-19’s impact on the country and how to revamp the economy; and the importance of maintaining peace, unity and national cohesion.” said Kanze.
According to sources and political pundits the head of state has been aggressively championing the opposition leaders to unite and agree on who will bear the flag for the presidency in the upcoming 2022 general election.
The opposition leaders have failed to see eye to eye on several keys issues including who should bear the presidential flag for a united opposition in the upcoming elections.
Mistrust and animosity between the party leaders eventually saw the once vibrant NASA alliance dissolved with key parties, leaving the coalition agreement.
The leaders among them: Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi, Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, KANU’s Gideon Moi have however since united with the exception of ODM’s Raila Odinga to form the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) with the hopes of securing victory in next year’s polls.
OKA is however yet to settle on a presidential candidate this as the party leaders in the new election outfit revealed that they are welcome to other political parties joining them to form the government in 2022.
President Kenyatta recently advised the opposition leaders to unite and settle on a single candidate expressing his willingness to support the candidate they unanimously agree on to run for the presidency.
“Steve (Kalonzo), listen to your people and what they are saying. Unite in Nasa then we shall see what will happen. Whatever you will agree on is what I will go with,” Said president Kenyatta while meeting leaders from Ukambani region in June further saying, “If as Ukambani you will work together and stay united the way the Mt Kenya region is doing, then I have no doubt you will be part of the next government,”
Kenyatta’s deputy William Ruto who is also eyeing the country’s top seat, has accused opposition leaders of infiltrating the Jubilee party and destroying it from the inside.
Ruto who has avoided publicly antagonizing his boss, has however remained firm saying that no one will stop him from forming the next government.
He is expected to seek the presidency through a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.
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