OKA denies reports of Narc-Kenya pulling out

• Mar 2, 2022

OKA denies reports of Narc-Kenya pulling out

By Justus Karanja

The One Kenya Alliance (OKA) has condemned what it termed as misleading reports by a section of the media that a constituent party within it has severed ties with the coalition.

In a statement signed by the spokesman,  Fredrick Okango, the coalition termed the reports as  malicious and are aimed at disparaging OKA adding they were “the kind that the Elections Code of Conduct adjudges as unlawful”.

The coalition said the request by Martha Karua (pictured led Narc-K for a specified time to consider the question of coalitions is consistent with the OKA's call for honest, truthful and structured negotiations within coalitions.

“It is in the same spirit that we engage our potential coalition partners with a view of ensuring that discussions are not only inclusive but also transparent, honest and structured.  Therefore, we will continue with our bold strides and consolidated efforts to offer the people of Kenya a truly inclusive government. We will carry out our programmes and activities, including signing of the requisite coalition documents as scheduled and agreed by our principals,” the coalition said.

“We once again reassure our supporters that we are committed to our cause for a just, inclusive and prosperous nation,” it added.

The coalition was reacting to reports in a section of the media that the long-awaited signing of the agreement was thrown into disarray after Narc-Kenya pulled out at the last minute.

The reports said the Karua-led party was seeking more time to study the draft proposal that has been formulated by the coalition technical committee.

The coalition brings together principals - Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Senator Gideon Moi (Kanu), Karua (Narc-Kenya) and Cyrus Jirongo (UDP).

The move came barely a day after Kalonzo said he was ready to work with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga but on new conditions.

The decision to postpone the signing of the coalition agreement was arrived at by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) after a two-day meeting in Naivasha.

Addressing the press, the party Secretary General Michael Orwa said that they needed more time to go through the coalition draft.

Orwa also said that they had only received the draft 36 hours prior adding that their legal team was going through the draft before taking the next step.

“We have received the draft proposal from the technical committee and our legal team needs seven more days to go through it and identify any grey areas,” he added.

Flanked by NEC members, Orwa noted that the recently enacted political parties act had brought some new dimension in terms of coalition agreements.

“The party is aware of the emerging multiple legal interpretations of the Political Parties Act with regard to the formation and management of Coalitions and Coalition Political Parties.”

“The new act has some issues like depositing the agreement with the registrar of political parties and the framework on admission of new members and we want the air cleared on this,” he said.

Orwa in conclusion reiterated their commitment to One Kenya Alliance’s vision to end impunity, get transparency and accountability for the country.

“The party has demonstrated its commitment to the founding ideals and values and objectives of the One Kenya Alliance (OKA), including transparency, accountability and inclusivity,” he said.