Bipartisan Conundrum: Ruto’s Headache Deepens as Raila Declines Invitation to Resolve Differences
President William Ruto’s plans to rescue the bipartisan agreement hit a snag when the Azimio team declined an invitation to settle their differences on May 25.
Azimio la Umoja, led by Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo, indicated that they would only accept calls for negotiations if Kenya Kwanza conceded to some of their demands.
Azimio’s list of demands included assurances from Kenya Kwanza that they will not interfere with political parties, including the Jubilee Party.
Amollo further stated that Azimio would be willing to resume bipartisan negotiations if Kenya Kwanza agreed to address the high cost of living. Amollo insisted that a meeting with Kenya Kwanza would be a waste of time absent from this condition.
Other disagreements on which they required reassurance included the protection of election servers and the suspension of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reconstitution.
“Our letter was a notification that does not require a response,” Amollo wrote. “The only response we require is a communication from them that they are willing to concede to our request on four interim measures.”
ALSO READ: Kenya Kwanza Team Accuses Azimio Party of Sabotaging Bipartisan Negotiations
“There is nothing we can discuss between the two of us, as the plenary as a whole does not concur on these matters. We will not accept any invitations to meetings. We won’t be attending any meetings. “This is a waste of time,” he continued.
Amollo responded after Tharaka MP George Muragura, co-chair of the bipartisan talks, invited Azimio back to the discussion table.
Muragura, addressing the media, affirmed Kenya Kwanza’s commitment to the negotiations.
“As the Kenya Kwanza faction of the coalition, we are always available for these discussions. “The talks can resume as soon as tomorrow (Friday, May 26), next week, or whenever the other side informs us they are prepared to do so,” Muragura said.
Muragura urged Azimio to use the Jubilee Party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve the impasse over his interference in Jubilee Party affairs.
The lawmaker lamented that Azimio’s stance put them in a position to violate Constitutional provisions. That grant every citizen the right to affiliate with any political party.
ALSO READ: Ultimatum Issued by Azimio: Talks at Risk of Collapse Without Key Concerns Addressed
“Members are free to visit the State House or any other location of their choosing. They are free to associate in any manner they deem appropriate. “However, if Azimio has any issues, they should resolve them internally and according to the law,” he added.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta attended the Jubilee Party’s National Delegates Conference, which prompted these sentiments. During the meeting, the rebel leaders led by nominated MP Sabina Chege and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega were expelled.
Saitoti Torome, the party’s former principal secretary, assumed the role of party chairman. After Jubilee reconstituted a new team to oversee its operations.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) invalidated the Uhuru NDC, however. It acknowledged Sabina Chege (nominated) and Kanini Kega (EALA) as the party’s leader and secretary-general, respectively.
Nevertheless, a tribunal granted the Uhuru-led faction a reprieve. After preventing Nominated MP Sabina Chege’s faction from seizing control of the organization.
Bipartisan Conundrum: Ruto’s Headache Deepens as Raila Declines Invitation to Resolve Differences
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