One Kenya Alliance (OKA) affiliate parties Amani National Congress (ANC) and Ford Kenya parties have broken ranks with their partner Wiper Democratic Movement over the proposed Political Parties (Amendment) Bill which seeks to ensure a coalition political party submits a pre-election agreement six months to the General Election.
According to ANC Deputy Party leader Ayub Savula, the new law is a trap for the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) because the outfit, compared to Raila Odinga and William Ruto is not prepared for the 2022 polls yet and the new law could lock and force them to back either Odinga or Ruto.
Read: Raila factor splits Mudavadi, Kalonzo camps inside OKA
“This is a trap for us in OKA. When you look at other presidential candidates, they are prepared. Raila is ready under the Azimio la Umoja and Ruto is also ready under United Democratic Alliance (UDA). It is only us in OKA that are yet to come up with our presidential candidate and we cannot do it between now and February,” the Lugari MP said.
Savula’s remarks were supported by Ford-Kenya’s Secretary-General Chris Wamalwa who read mischief in the new law, which seems to put Raila Odinga and William Ruto at an advantage.
”The general objective of the bill is good but we must address the issue of timelines. We can’t be forced to do it within six months. In OKA, we are still doing negotiations and negotiations are delicate as it involves give and take,” Mr. Wamalwa said.
Read: Ugly fallout in OKA over Raila Odinga
However, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party says it is comfortable with the bill and there were no reasons at all, why their partners should read any mischief. The party’s leader, also one of the OKA principals told a local publication the new law has the full backing of the Wiper party.
”“The proposal has the full support of the Wiper Democratic Movement,” Mr. Musyoka, who is in talks for an alliance with President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga’s parties said.