Azimio Dialogue Team: Raila’s New Moves
Azimio has selected Jeremiah Kioni, the Secretary-General of Jubilee, to lead the Legal and Technical group. This decision is interpreted as an effort to satisfy a segment of Mt. Kenya leaders who are aligned with the coalition.
In a declaration issued on Tuesday, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio party, revealed that Kioni and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka will be in charge of the negotiations on behalf of the opposition alliance.
Raila declared that Kalonzo was to head the discussion group, whereas Kioni would be in charge of the legal and technical unit.
The previous week saw a quiet demonstration in response to Azimio’s submitted roster, wherein certain prominent figures from the area were absent from subsequent media briefings organized by Raila and Kalonzo.
“We have tasked our delegation and our technical teams, under the able leadership of Kalonzo and Kioni to go to these talks with courage and open minds. It takes courage and open minds to establish common ground in situations of dispute,” Raila noted.
The leader of the opposing party has also consistently asserted that their main requests must be dealt with during the negotiations.
“We have told our delegation, and we want all Kenyans to understand that engaging in honest dialogue does not amount to surrender or cowardice. We must see it as an act of strength and a matter of common sense,” Raila stated in a press briefing.
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Some of the main concerns that the opposing party aims to have tackled consist of the expensive nature of daily expenses, the examination of the 2022 Presidential Election, reorganization of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, steps to avert meddling with political parties, and unresolved constitutional issues.
“Propaganda must now end because it has not solved our problems this past year and it won’t, in the coming year. Our people and the whole world are watching us, and we encourage them to watch us and to hold us to account,” Raila directed.
Reiterating the call made by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah, Raila concurred that the discussions would transparently take place at the Bomas venue.
The leader of Azimio has also promised to denounce any demonstrations throughout the duration of the talks.
Raila requested that the Kenya Kwanza faction show the same respect and put an end to the use of harsh and negative language in the context of political speeches delivered in public gatherings.
The opposing party suggested in the previous week that discussions should take place within the upcoming month.
Azimio Dialogue Team: Raila’s New Changes