Karua, Kioni, Jealousy, and Bad Blood Politics Exploding in Raila's Azimio

Folks, we have a very serious problem deep inside Azimio. Naturally, this is not good news because many Kenyans—especially the over 8 million who voted for Azimio (real figures likely closer to 10 million)—have placed all their hopes on Raila Odinga. Therefore, it is deeply discouraging to hear that within the coalition, there are serious problems—problems significant enough to cause cracks, which is the last thing we need right now.

But let’s get down to it.

On a serious note, what we’re about to discuss is for those mature in politics and who understand that where human beings are involved, things can never be entirely smooth. Disagreements, jealousies, and feelings of being shortchanged are normal. Naturally, such discussions cannot be had in the presence of "political children"—those who cannot understand the complexities of human dynamics in politics.

To be clear, no one is saying Azimio is in trouble or finished. What we’re doing is deeply analyzing a problem that may or may not grow into something bigger in the near future. The best way to summarize the crux of the problem within Azimio is with the phrase: Bad Blood.

Before I proceed, let me give you a moment to catch your breath with a snippet from my latest book, The Ruto Kenyans Will Never Know. Trust me, it’s fascinating. I’ll be back shortly.

[Excerpt from The Ruto Kenyans Will Never Know]

The story of YK’92, an infamous organization accused of complicity in ethnic violence during the 1992 elections, is one that remains largely untold. The events began over a drink at Boulevard Hotel on January 5, 1992. At the time, a young William Ruto worked as a driver for Cyrus Jirongo.

Ruto’s political career began when he was appointed head of the YK’92 Secretariat. To be brutally honest, his duties were initially mundane—answering phones and opening the office daily. However, Ruto quickly demonstrated the political and business acumen that would define his career.

Back to the matter at hand: Professor Makau Mutua’s latest outburst against Jeremiah Kioni, head of the technical team in the ongoing bipartisan talks, highlights deep-seated issues. Professor Mutua criticized Kioni for opposing the talks, repeatedly calling them a waste of time. However, Mutua only addressed the symptoms, not the root cause, of the problem—which is understandable, as this is politics.

The tensions within Azimio didn’t start yesterday, just as tensions in UDA and Kenya Kwanza didn’t start recently. Where humans are involved, disagreements are inevitable. Earlier in the year, Jeremiah Kioni clashed with Professor George Wajackoyah over remarks made during a church event. While the issue seemed minor, it hinted at underlying discord.

The current crisis erupted when Raila Odinga announced his team for the bipartisan talks. Many within Azimio felt that Odinga should have selected the most loyal members of the coalition. Instead, Odinga’s strategy appeared to prioritize other objectives. This created confusion and resentment, particularly with the inclusion of Kalonzo Musyoka as a key figure in the talks.

Some interpreted this move as diminishing Martha Karua’s role. Karua, Odinga’s running mate in the last election, is viewed by many as the duly elected Deputy President of Kenya, if not for the alleged manipulation of election results. This sidelining created "bad blood" within the coalition.

The root of the strategy seems clear in hindsight. Raila Odinga’s true objective with the bipartisan talks was not to extract concessions from Kenya Kwanza but to expose the alleged electoral fraud that transpired during the August elections. This revelation, Odinga believes, should have come to light through the Supreme Court but didn’t.

Money has also become an issue. Participants in the talks are reportedly receiving significant allowances, which has fueled resentment among Azimio leaders who feel loyalists should have been prioritized.

Additionally, Martha Karua and Jeremiah Kioni’s rising political profiles in the Mount Kenya region have complicated matters. Their newfound popularity stems from growing frustrations among Mount Kenya voters who feel betrayed by UDA leaders. This has led to the formation of the Mt. Kenya Leadership Forum, a lobby group championing regional interests. However, both Karua and Kioni insist their loyalty to Azimio remains intact.

Despite the challenges, Raila Odinga’s strategy has not been derailed—yet. However, cracks within the coalition are cause for concern. Azimio leaders must act cohesively to ensure the broader mission remains on course.

In conclusion, while the signs of discord within Azimio are evident, the Kenyan people’s collective will remains unstoppable. When a nation unites behind a single narrative, no force—no matter how powerful—can stand in its way.

For now, this is where we stand. I will keep you updated on any developments. In the meantime, details on how to get my latest audiobook, The Ruto Kenyans Will Never Know, are on your screen. Until next time, stay informed and stay vigilant.