Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir has led an onslaught against Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka accusing him of blackmailing the ODM party leader Raila Odinga to give him the running mate position in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.

The legislature took a swipe at Kalonzo accusing him of propagating negative and unwarranted attacks towards the existence of a harmonious and cohesive country as envisioned by the Azimio principles.

He said that they were dismayed that despite the level playfield to allow equal participation in the running of the affairs of the coalition, it was apparent that some leaders wanted to make it as if it was a precondition for them to be awarded the position of the running mate as a ticket of joining the Azimio coalition.

“We see this as blackmail of the highest order. As ODM and proud founders of Azimio, we believe our birth was not out of fear but that of respecting others views,” Nassir said.

Nassir was addressing the media at Swahili Pot hub on Sunday after holding a meeting with all ODM aspirants in Mombasa.

He accused Kalonzo of having a hidden agenda in joining the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.

He added that they were disturbed by the show of recklessness by some unpatriotic leaders within the Azimio family whose main aim seems to be directed at destabilizing the movement from within.

“It is disturbing to see that some leaders within the coalition have reduced themselves into being agents of creating disharmony along tribal and religious lines in the country,”

 “For the avoidance of doubt, we want to categorically state that we shall not condone this kind of behavior considering how far this country has come from,” he said.

Nassir further stated that all these theatrics were only aimed at diluting the major contributions within Azimio by pragmatic leaders like Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and and his Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu whom he said both stand a very good chance of being picked as possible running mates to Raila.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko on her part reiterated that the Azimio coalition aimed at uniting Kenyans and ensuring there is peace across the country.

This she said was going to be very instrumental to spur growth and development within all sectors in the country.

“It is a pity to see one of the coalition partners uttering words that threaten to split Kenyans along religious and tribal lines, we will not allow leaders within the coalition hell-bent at bringing us down from within.

She added that the coalition was not going to relent on its mission of uniting the over 45 million Kenyans in the country.

“If someone has his own hidden agenda for joining the coalition then let him tell us,” said Mboko.  

Other leaders present include Mombasa county assembly speaker Aharub Khatri, senator Mohammed Faki, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, former Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba, ODM Mombasa branch chair Mohammed Khamis,Woman rep aspirant Zamzam Mohammed and all ODM MCA aspirants.