File image of PNU party leader Peter Munya.PHOTO:Peter Munya
In Summary:
- Munya calls for a meeting of all Azimio constituent parties.
- Criticizes ODM for unilaterally joining the government without coalition consensus.
Peter Munya, leader of the Party of National Unity (PNU), has urged Azimio la Umoja Chairperson Uhuru Kenyatta to organize a meeting for all parties within the Azimio coalition.
Munya emphasized the necessity of this meeting to decide on the coalition’s future direction.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 1, Munya stated, “The Party of National Unity hereby gives notice to the Chairperson of the Azimio La Umoja, One Kenya Coalition Party to immediately constitute a meeting of all Azimio constituent parties where an all-inclusive resolution should be reached on the way forward for the coalition.”
Munya, a former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, reiterated that the Azimio coalition was built on principles such as justice, accountability, democracy, and social protection.
He criticized the ODM party for allowing some of its members to join the Cabinet without consulting other parties in the coalition.
“Unfortunately, and devoid of consultation or concurrence of the Coalition, an Azimio-affiliated party has since ‘donated’ its top officials for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries in the current government. This is in spite of the fact that Azimio La Umoja, One Kenya Coalition is firmly in opposition as a check and balance on this government,” Munya remarked.
He further stated that the inclusion of ODM members in the government undermines the coalition’s stance and cannot be seen as forming a Government of National Unity.
Munya expressed concern that the current government appears united against citizens’ demands for change, reduced living costs, improved living standards, rule of law, and justice.
Munya asserted that any national dialogue must be founded on a legal framework and preceded by the release of all detained political prisoners and protesters, compensation to the families of those who lost their lives, and recompense to those who lost property.
These demands from Munya follow President William Ruto’s nomination of five allies of Raila Odinga to the Cabinet, including Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), John Mbadi (National Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), and Beatrice Askul (EAC).