Bipartisan Invitation: Kenya Kwanza Calls for Talks to Resolve Stalemate
On Tuesday, June 27, the bipartisan team representing Kenya Kwanza extended an invitation to its counterparts representing the Azimio la Umoja Coalition to participate in discussions on Tuesday, July 4, to break the impasse.
During a press conference that took place in the buildings of Parliament, the co-chairperson of the bipartisan talks, George Murugara, stated that the primary focus of the meeting would be on the recruitment of commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
He mentioned that the recruitment process would continue even if the Azimio team did not show up for it as the selection panel would continue with it regardless.
Murugara brought to his co-chair’s attention the fact that a written communication had been transmitted to Otiende Amollo for him to consider their request.
In addition to this, he asserted that the Azimio team was attempting to thwart the development plans of Kenya Kwanza and was stirring up public opposition to the government.
On the other hand, nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri pleaded with the Azimio la Umoja team to reevaluate the bipartisan talks and make room for dialogue.
“The Kenya Kwanza team calls on the Azimio team to resume bipartisan talks to urgently discuss the reconstitution of IEBC or allow the recruitment process to continue by the current Law,” said the Kenya Kwanza team. “The recruitment process must continue by the current Law.”
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Constituencies and wards are currently waiting for by-elections, and in the meantime, the constituents’ rights are being violated because they do not have representation in the relevant legislative houses. She was quick to point out that the recruitment had been halted at the request of Azimio to make room for talks.
Azimio Decision
Former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa announced at the Kamukunji Grounds during the public engagement rally that the opposition had concluded that the bipartisan talks should come to an end.
“There will be no more opportunities for discussion. According to what he said, “Our co-chairman, Amollo, has stated that there will be no more opportunities for discussion.”
The argument presented by Kenya Kwanza was seen as a rebuttal to the statement made by Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio la Umoja, at the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi.
In what can be interpreted as a game of political chess, the Kenya Kwanza team attempted to extend the olive branch to the opposition in the minutes leading up to Raila’s public announcement of the path forward for his supporters.
The opposition leader’s maandamano (protests) have been the subject of much conjecture and speculation recently.
On May 31, 2023, Azimio suspended the bipartisan talks because he had suspicions that the Kenya Kwanza team was trying to take advantage of him.
Otiende Amollo, the co-chairman of the Committee, asserts that the administration led by President Ruto violated an earlier agreement to put a halt to the process of reconstituting the IEBC panel.
Bipartisan Invitation: Kenya Kwanza Calls for Talks to Resolve Stalemate
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