United Democratic Movement (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala has pleaded with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to drop his hardline stance and support efforts to unite the country.
Malala said President William Ruto has shown his willingness to bring all opposition leaders together in building and uniting the nation following the recent protests.
"I want to call upon Kalonzo to be patriotic and accept the offer extended by the President to the opposition to help him in bringing peace," he said.
The SG said it would be unwise for a national leader like Kalonzo to align himself with those opposed to the deal.
"It would be very wrong for him to join those who are not after peace in the country," he stated.
Kalonzo said Friday moments before Ruto named his cabinet that Azimio will not be part of the proposed broad-based government.
There were reports that Ruto would name some of the opposition leaders as CSs.
He said being part of the proposed government of national unity will be a betrayal, especially to Gen Z and millennials.
“We shall not participate in or support the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity. This is a betrayal of the Kenyan people, particularly Gen Z and millennials, who have paid the ultimate price.
“We reiterate our public position, that when it comes to siding with Gen Z and the Kenyan people versus the Kenya Kwanza regime, the decision is as obvious as day and night. We will always side and stand with the people of Kenya.”
Kalonzo further said being part of the proposed new government will be a betrayal of the ideology, values, and tenets of Azimio constituent parties.
He said the impending reorganisation of the Cabinet and naming of new office holders will only be cosmetic.
"As long as Kenya Kwanza regime remains in place, absolutely nothing will change.”
Kalonzo addressed the media at the Kenya School of Government where he had attended the Pan African Youth Convention with other Azmio leaders.
He said the resolution not to be part of the proposed unity government was reached by the Wiper Democratic Movement, Jubilee Party, DAP-Kenya Party, Party of National Unity (PNU) and Narc-Kenya during their respective National Executive Council (NEC) meetings.
"And we want to add that even ODM had their parliamentary group meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation," Kalonzo said.
His remarks came amid reports of growing discord within the opposition coalition where it’s reported ODM leader Raila Odinga has welcomed the idea of being part of the government of national unity.