Bipartisan Talks Show Ruto Isn’t Confident He Won 2022 Election Fairly, Ekuru Aukot Says
The leader of the Third Way Alliance, Ekuru Aukot, has dismissed as a waste of time the ongoing bipartisan discussions between the leaders of the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Aukot told Citizen TV’s Day Break program on Tuesday that the dialogue, which was called by the opposition to iron out issues they have with the government, is proof that President Ruto is not confident he legitimately won the 2022 General Election.
“The problem with these talks is that they are a waste of time and resources, but it also in a way confirms that President William Ruto isn’t confident that he actually won the election fairly. If he did, and I believe he did, why is he entertaining a conversation with someone who lost?” Aukot posed.
Azimio desires, among other things, a reduction in the cost of living, an audit of the servers used for the 2022 General Election, a bipartisan reconstitution of the IEBC, as well as its incorporation in national affairs and what he calls respect for political parties.
However, the leader of the Third Way Alliance views this as reducing national discourse to two individuals: President Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“This conversation on this country is being reduced to Raila and Ruto yet Kenya belongs to more than 50 million people,” he said.
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“If I were President Ruto, I would tell the opposition that if they have a problem with my leadership, they need to go through Parliament and file a motion of censure or impeachment.”
Aukot accused Azimio of avoiding discussing pertinent issues confronting Kenyans, such as the recently enacted Finance Bill, in favor of engaging in partisan politics.
Over nine Azimio legislators did not vote in June on the contentious measure that increased taxes, and some were even abroad on parliamentary trips.
The dialogue team has thus far established a five-point agenda for discussion: Outstanding Constitutional Matters; Electoral Justice and Related Matters; Constitutionalization of Funds; Establishment and Constitutionalization of State Offices; and Fidelity to Political Parties/Coalitions and the Law on Multiparty Democracy.
Nonetheless, Azimio has stated that they will make a different move if the bipartisan talks appear unproductive.
Odinga and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka stated on Sunday that the opposition will not engage in dialogue unless there are clear indications that their concerns will be addressed.
“Before we talk of 2027, we must settle 2022 and that is why we have the bipartisan talks. We want to settle election injustice,” Musyoka, who is leading the Azimio delegation in the talks, told a roadside rally in Magena Town, Kisii County.
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“Raila amesema tuwaangalie kwa macho kwa ile kikao na kama hawana haja then we shall think otherwise. We can’t waste time.”
Odinga stated that they halted anti-government demonstrations to give the government a chance through dialogue, but if President William Ruto’s administration refuses to cooperate, they will not hesitate to proclaim an alternative method of expressing their grievances.
“Sisi tunakubali mazungumzo, ndio maana tumeweka Kalonzo hapo. Tutawapa nafasi vizuri ili wazungumze na wakileta nyokonyoko si mko tayari?” posed the former Prime Minister who holds his presidential victory in last year’s polls was stolen from him by Dr. Ruto.
Odinga has previously threatened to revert to street protests if the negotiations are unsuccessful. Recent demonstrations resulted in the deaths of over 20 persons.
Previous negotiations in April and May collapsed after each party accused the other of sabotage.
Bipartisan Talks Show Ruto Isn’t Confident He Won 2022 Election Fairly, Ekuru Aukot Says
