Ruto Dodges Azimio Talks Query in Press Conference
During a press briefing on Agriculture at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, President William Ruto refrained from discussing politics about upcoming negotiations with the Azimio coalition.
The President convened the media briefing to update the nation on the Kenya Kwanza government’s Agriculture interventions.
During the question and answer segment, TV47 News anchor Grace Kuria inquired about the government’s water harvesting interventions in light of the El Nino early warning sign.
“And your second question?” questioned the President.
“My second question, your excellency, is in advance of the anticipated talks between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio…” Kuria began, but the President cut him off.
Please do not proceed there. “Let’s, therefore, stick to the first question,” he said.
The government and opposition are scheduled to conduct new discussions regarding issues raised by the Azimio coalition led by Raila Odinga.
The President was the first to extend an olive branch to the opposition for dialogue during the height of renewed weekly protests, which saw tumultuous and violent demonstrations from July 19 to July 21.
Ruto tweeted to Raila that he was available for talks at the request of the opposition leader.
“Dear friend Raila Odinga, I’m off to Tanzania for a meeting on human capital to coordinate the expansion of employment opportunities on our continent.
“I’ll be back tomorrow evening, and as you know, I’m always available to meet with you individually at your convenience,” he said.
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Four days later, on July 29, both the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza announced their agreement to conduct talks under the facilitation of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to resolve their differences amicably for the good of Kenyans.
They stated that they would each appoint five individuals to represent them on the ten-person committee charged with resolving the most contentious issues from both sides.
Two days later, on July 31, Azimio revealed its team of mediators, commanded by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Azimio stated that they will respect the issues raised by Kenya Kwanza during the negotiations and expect them to do the same with their own.
According to them, their team of negotiators, which includes Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, Eugene Wamalwa, Okong’o Omogeni, and Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi, has been instructed to raise five substantive issues.
These include the cost of living, an audit of the 2022 elections, a bipartisan reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), inclusiveness in national affairs, and respect for political parties by the Constitution.
“Our position remains that no party to these negotiations can claim the right to determine for the other party what to raise and what not to raise,” said Azimio in a statement.
Earlier on Saturday, July 29, Kenya Kwanza claimed to have reached an agreement on four issues.
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“The committee shall consider the following five issues: reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, entrenchment of constituency development fund, establishment and entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and embedding of the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.”
The alleged joint statement was signed by the leader of the majority, Kimani Ichung’wah. Azimio dismissed its contents as a one-sided wish list for Kenya Kwanza.
“We deny the claim made by Ichung’wah. It had nothing to do with Azimio. It contained the desires of the Kenya Kwanza,” Raila said in a statement.
While unveiling their five-member team for the negotiations, Raila expressed optimism that the discussions would begin on August 1.
However, the Kenya Kwanza side has remained reticent and has yet to announce the other half of the negotiations team.
However, according to GossipA2Z, the President met with his deputy Rigathi Gachagua on Monday to reach an agreement on the list before it is made public.
Ruto Dodges Azimio Talks Query in Press Conference
