Ruto Allies Stand Firm: Justifications for Rejecting Azimio Demands in Bipartisan Negotiations
On Tuesday, May 23, the Kenya Kwanza Bipartisan Team explained why a parliamentary dialogue with Azimio La Umoja collapsed under former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Senator-nominee Esther Okenyuri disclosed on the same day that the two parties had different priorities in a statement released.
According to the senator, Azimio made illogical demands in opposition to Kenya Kwanza’s viewpoint.
“The Kenya Kwanza side regarded the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel as the most pressing issue.
Okenyuri explained why the parliamentary dialogue failed for the umpteenth time: “On the other hand, the Azimio side preferred to prioritize the preservation of IEBC servers.”
According to Kenya Kwanza, the election server issue could not have preceded the reconstitution of the IEBC selection committee.
However, the Kenya Kwanza side did not respond to Azimio’s explanation of why the dialogue failed to take off.
Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi canceled the bipartisan talks, explaining that the two teams could not agree on fundamental issues.
Contrary to Okenyuri’s assertion, Sifuna, a member of Azimio’s bipartisan team, asserted that Kenya Kwanza was not sincere in reassembling the IEBC selection panel.
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“We had to suspend the bipartisan dialogue because we were unable to persuade our Kenya Kwanza allies to accept some commonsense interim measures.
“This included lowering the cost of unga, preserving the election servers, suspending the IEBC’s reconstitution, and leaving Jubilee alone,” the freshman lawmaker stated on May 23.
Sifuna noted that the suspension was temporary and that, should Kenya Kwanza reach an agreement on the issues raised, negotiations would resume in seven days.
Jubilee, a faction led by East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega, is competing with President (Rtd.) Uhuru Kenyatta for control of the party.
In place of Uhuru and Jeremiah Kioni, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP). Approved Nominated MP Sabina Chege as Party leader and Kega as secretary general.
A court, however, stayed the order and granted Uhuru’s wing a reprieve.
Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio party. Threatened to recall protests if Kenya Kwanza did not demonstrate commitment to the bipartisan talks. And accused Ruto of employing the ORPP to oppose Uhuru.
“We stated that the Ruto administration should not interfere with the operations of political parties. Political parties must be permitted to conduct their business without interference from the government.
This is a caution. Azimio La Umoja will not tolerate government interference in the administration of coalition parties. We, therefore, urge the registrar to move swiftly and register the new Jubilee Party officials. Failing which there will be consequences,” warned Raila while addressing residents of Siaya at a charity event.
Ruto Allies Stand Firm: Justifications for Rejecting Azimio Demands in Bipartisan Negotiations
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