Azimio Denies Involvement in Ruto-Raila Talks
Following the anti-government demonstrations, the Azimio la Umoja Coalition published a statement on Saturday, July 29, distancing itself from the unified statement that was issued by Kenya Kwanza. The statement called for peace negotiations.
The coalition published a statement in which it revealed that the statement had initially been issued by the majority leader Kimani Ichungw’ah, who was a member of the Kenya Kwanza government.
A portion of the statement said, “It should be noted that in our statement that was released before KK’s, Azimio is yet to table its substantive issues.” KK’s statement had been released earlier.
The coalition further emphasized that the primary concerns that drove them to come to the streets have not been addressed in any part of the statement that was made by the Leader of the Majority.
Azimio reaffirmed that their four-point program included improvements to the electoral audit, the cost of living, noninterference in coalitions and the parties that comprise them, and accountability and an investigation into police violence that has resulted in the deaths of scores of innocent people.
A portion of the statement went as follows: “We owe it to Kenyans to engage honestly, transparently, and guided by the utmost good faith to find lasting solutions to the crisis in the country.”
The alliance emphasized that it is unable to participate in conversations that are centered on the development of positions that are not contemplated by the Constitution.
ALSO READ: Ruto & Raila Seal Deal with Foreign Aid
In the joint statement that was issued on Saturday, July 29, by Ichung’wah, the topics that were up for discussion were the following: the reconstruction of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the implementation of the 2/3 gender rule, the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the establishment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and the embedment of the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Nevertheless, to carry on with the discussions, the two groups reached an agreement to establish a ten-person committee.
It will consist of the Leaders of the Majority and Minority from the National Assembly, as well as four extra Members of Parliament, two of whom will come from each party. In addition, it will have four members who are not currently serving in Parliament.
In the announcements, the two political alliances acknowledged that they had reached an agreement to appoint Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, as the facilitator of the peace talks and the state of the nation.
Other members of Azimio criticized the most important points that were brought up and questioned why the cost of living was not at the top of the list of concerns.
If the problem was not resolved, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, Paul Ongili, well known as Babu Owino, vowed to take the protests back to the streets.
Where exactly does it say in the Terms of Reference that the cost of living is included? “It’s probably best if we have this conversation outside,” he suggested.
Azimio Denies Involvement in Ruto-Raila Talks
