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Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga says the Kenya Kwanza administration wants to destroy the former ruling Jubilee party.

Reacting to the power struggles pitting a faction of Jubilee leaders allied to the government and another allied to the opposition, Raila said President William Ruto’s regime wants Jubilee dead.

He accused Ruto of orchestrating an illegal takeover to win a supermajority in Parliament that will enable him to amend the Constitution for selfish interests.

“Kenya Kwanza wants to ensure that Jubilee as a party does not continue to exist on this side of the aisle. Just like the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU), they want Jubilee dead,” Raila said.

He warned that state interference in party affairs was not good for the country’s democracy.

“In this, the regime is walking on a well-trodden path. Kenya Kwanza is working on an arrangement similar to that of 1964 that saw Kadu walk across the aisle and join Kanu without its MPs having to seek fresh mandate,” he said.

“Next will be a freeze in people’s participation and representation in political affairs of the nation.”

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua shared similar sentiments, saying Ruto was only using Jubilee “rebels” led by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege to destabilise the party before the intended takeover.

“I want it to be known that it’s not rebels within Jubilee who want to destroy the party, it’s William Ruto who wants Jubilee,” Karua stated.

She said the president should respect parties affiliated with the opposition’s Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition, warning that the coalition would not allow the takeover.

“Touching Jubilee is bombing the foundation of a house called Azimio la Umoja. We shall not let anyone play around with constituent parties of Azimio,” Karua warned.

“What he is trying is to get a super majority so that he can change the constitution without the involvement of the people. This is a great assault on democracy. We know you have not fought for democracy. Some of us have fought for democracy throughout our lives.”

According to Karua, if the president was interested in Jubilee MPs he should ask those who have shifted allegiance to the Kenya Kwanza administration to resign and seek office with their party of choice, instead of rocking the party from within.

“Now someone says that he has a Ph.D. yet he cannot recognise the laws of Kenya. That is the great shame of this nation. We do not want your help William Ruto all we need is respect for the rule of law. Leave political parties alone,” she added.