Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Executive Director Raphael Tuju has explained why some parties under the coalition have been denied the opportunity to present candidates in some regions in favor of other parties in preparation for the coming elections.
Speaking to NTV, Tuju said that was only reached after a discussion with parties within the coalition and it should not be mistaken for zoning.
According to him, it is just a strategy that will be of advantage in helping them defeat their competitors in the August 9 elections.
“It is not zoning, maybe it is the language that is confusing us a little bit. For example here in Lang’ata, we have ODM, Jubilee and other parties. We reasoned that if a Jubilee candidate vies and also an ODM candidate vies, then it gives a chance to those who we are competing with to beat us and this happened in 2017. We decided to have a talk and agree, if it is Lang’ata, let’s leave it for ODM,” Tuju said.
Tuju however said that the coalition will respect the decision of parties that do not agree with the strategy.
“In our country’s laws, you can’t force any party not to present a candidate. There is no way to enforce such things,” he noted
Politicians who have been affected by the ‘zoning’ issue include singer Bahati who is eyeing the Mathare MP seat on a Jubilee ticket. He was denied the chance in favor of ODM. On the other hand, Alinur Mohamed wanted to vie for Kamkunji MP seat under an ODM ticket but was denied the opportunity for it is a Jubilee stronghold.
The issue was also among the reasons why Alfred Mutua’s party, Maendeleo Chap Chap, left the coalition for DP Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza.
At the same time, Tuju revealed that he had plans to seek an elective seat but declined to mention which one he was interested in apart from the ones had been said he would go for.
“There have been a lot of rumors about me. For example there were rumors that I would vie in Nairobi, Lang’ata, Kibra, Rarieda and Siaya. All those were people’s thoughts but I also had a thought of where I would want to go but because time is already up, there is no need to say. What I can say is to thank God because I have had choices unlike many Kenyans, having such choices it is God’s blessings,” the cabinet secretary without a portfolio said.
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