Kenya Kwanza Urges Choice: Bipartisan Talks or Protests, Azimio Decides
There has been a snag in the bipartisan discussions between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja committees.
This is a result of the continuation of disputes over the composition of a bipartisan committee and the resumption of demonstrations called for by the Azimio coalition.
The 14-member committee was scheduled to meet today, but it was canceled after the Azimio team failed to show up and demanded the withdrawal of Elda’s representative Adan Keynan.
George Murugara, a representative for the Tharaka party, criticized Azimio in a press conference at the parliament buildings for holding protests during bipartisan negotiations.
Murugara said, “We have a problem with Azimio; they want talks and demonstrations, but you can’t have both; either we talk or they demonstrate; we call on them to resume talks.”
Senate majority whip Bonny Khalwale, who is also a member of the bipartisan committee, urged the Azimio team to end the protests and resume negotiations.
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”Whether they like it or not, they can hold demonstrations today, tomorrow, and every other day, but demonstrations will not restore sanity; talks will. I urge Raila to allow members of his committee to resume talks. Khalwale said.
Murugara, the co-chair of the committee, stated that his counterpart Otiende Amollo declined the invitation, but he remained optimistic that reason will prevail.
“He indicated that he has reservations about some issues. And that they will not honor the invitation today, but we haven’t given up. Despite this, we are willing to bend over and over again in whatever direction we are given to ensure the success of these talks. There is no issue more important than the country, and we are willing to listen to them,” he said.
However, in a swift rebuttal, the Azimio team insisted that Keynan be removed from the committee before negotiations could resume.
Amollo, the co-chair of the committee, stated that the Kenya kwanza coalition’s inclusion of Keynan on the team was insincere.
Otiende stated, “Our position has been clear, it was clear last week and it is clear even now. Remove Hon. Keynan from the committee and we will immediately resume negotiations.”
Otiende also rejected the demand that demonstrations must cease before negotiations can resume.
”They are bringing up the issue of demonstrations, which has never been on the committee’s agenda. We have no authority to call for or cancel demonstrations. That is a matter for the constitution and the principals. So it is in bad faith to insist that we cancel the demonstrations,” he said.
Kenya Kwanza Urges Choice: Bipartisan Talks or Protests, Azimio Decides
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