The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
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digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
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ODM Party leader Raila Odinga, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kisii Governor Simba Arati cuts a cake at Nyamache Stadium to celebrate Arati's birthday ceremony in Kisii County on May 28, 2023. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has downplayed the planned talks between Azimio la Umoja co-principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Wandayi on Monday accused Kalonzo of allegedly creating confusion and undermining Raila's political efforts while benefitting from his struggles.
He said during campaigns people were singing praises of Raila and urging him to fight and save Kenya but when the time to cast the ballot came they sabotaged him.
The CS argued that people who genuinely support Raila can no longer be hoodwinked and they will not allow him to be misused by opportunists.
Raila and Kalonzo are expected to meet today to discuss the future of the opposition and whether they will work together in the 2027 General Election.
Sources from the two sides indicated that the meeting had been pushed to today as Raila was still in Dubai taking a break after the gruelling campaigns for African Union Commission chairmanship, which he lost to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
The source revealed that Kalonzo asked for the meeting in order to try and convince Raila to champion the opposition and focus on the 2027 General Election.
But speaking in Siaya and Kisumu counties where he launched the Rural electrification projects worth Sh22 million to benefit more than 300 households, Wandayi said a time has come for Kalonzo and his allies to take a political stand.
The CS also noted that Sh900 million has been allocated for rural electrification in the country in 2025.
"There is a problem. Kalonzo must leave us alone. We are still hurting as a people. We have made a conscious decision to work with President William Ruto. Kalonzo and his ilk should leave us alone," he said.
Wandayi challenged Kalonzo and his allies to choose a political formation and stick to it.
"The way things are moving now and as things stand there are two political formations and moving forward either you are in broad-based formation that I belong to or Wamunyoro. There is no third way," he said.
"Kalonzo should not confuse us. Just declare where you stand so we can know how to deal with you or handle you. Don't bring confusion," he added.
The CS further termed unnamed individuals as political vultures who have for a very long time fed on Raila's political blood.
Wandayi said that the unnamed vultures would always like to see Raila languishing on the streets for their selfish political gain.
"We must call them out because their time is out They get their seats after every election cycle and forget about Raila. We will not accept it anymore. Now we are telling them off," he said.
He said that the country was ripe for unity of purpose and the electorate would only want to see steps being made to address their challenges.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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