• After the meeting, Raila said they met in pursuit of national conversation.
• Kalonzo, however, insisted on his stance that here will be no national conversation.
Image: FILE
A meeting by top leaders of the Azimio la Umoja coalition on Wednesday raised speculations after Narc Kenya Leader Martha Karua was conspicuously missing.
Also absent during the meeting was DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa.
The meeting was attended by Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kanu’s Gideon Moi, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya.
Siaya Governor James Orengo was also in attendance.
The absence of Karua came days after his party issued a notice to declare the intention to exit the Azimio Coalition.
Karua's absence prompted concern from a user on X who sought answers as to why she could not be part of the meeting.
In a rejoinder, the Narc Kenya leader said:
"Keeping to my lane," she said, distancing herself from the meeting.
After the meeting, Raila said they met in pursuit of national conversation.
"We met today in pursuit of the national conversation agenda," he said.
Kalonzo in a post on X, however, maintained his hardline stance that they will not be a party to the national conversation.
"No National Conversation!"
Raila accepted President William Ruto’s request to have five of his most lieutenants nominated into the cabinet to form what the President termed as a "broad-based government" whose aim is to unite Kenyans.
Under the arrangement, former governors Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya; minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, nominated MP John Mbadi and ODM member of the National Elections Coordination Committee Beatrice Askul were all handed ministerial portfolios and are awaiting vetting and probable approval for appointment by Parliament.
Raila said on Saturday he agreed to let them go because Ruto was in urgent need to reconstitute the cabinet and would address any outstanding issues later.