Azimio Agrees With Kenya Kwanza On Creation Of Raila's Office
Both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza have since named their five members forming a 10-member committee for purposes of the envisaged talks.
Marvin Chege 
Azimio la Umoja on Thursday, August 3 sided with the five issues listed by the Kenya Kwanza coalition ahead of the negotiation talks aimed at resolving the political impasse that has seen the opposition take to the streets through anti-government protests.
In a letter by the Raila Odinga-led coalition, Azimio listed the establishment of the office of the leader of the opposition as one of the deliberations of the talks, revisiting previous proposals seeking to entrench the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Constitution.
Other issues Azimio agreed with Kenya Kwanza on included the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commission, the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary.
The move came following a meeting between the leaders of the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalitions, that is former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President William Ruto respectively whereby the two sides agreed to establish a committee to deliberate on the increasingly worrying state of the country.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) arriving at Mukami Kimathi's funeral in Nyandarua on Saturday, May 13, 2023 and greeting President William Ruto (right). /TWITTER.OLIVER MATHENGE
Both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza have since named their five members forming a 10-member committee for purposes of the envisaged talks.
"In light of the urgency of the issues, the anxiety of our people and in the interest of a speedy resolution to the issues afflicting our nation, we today extend an invitation to the Kenya Kwanza National Dialogue Team, the Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, and the designated leader of the Kenya Kwanza delegation for the initial joint meeting of both parties at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi, on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 11 am.
"We have taken this step because we believe time is of the essence. While a lot of hard work will be needed to resolve the issues at hand, we believe a speedy start and a time-bound program is necessary to put the nation at ease. Consequently, we believe this process should come to an end at the close of August 2023, " read the letter in part addressed to National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung'wah.
Azimio further expressed that if all goes well, the talks would be successfully completed before Friday, September 1, adding that Kenya would be reunited by then.
"As a party, we believe that if all concerned show the courage and commitment, there is now a real chance that, before the 1st of September, Kenya will be reunited. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith on the basis of a plan to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the country's problems through dialogue," added the letter.
Azimio reiterated the issues it considered a priority in the talks including the high cost of living, audit of the 2022 Presidential Election Results, restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC and Related Matters, measures to prevent Interference with political parties and outstanding Constitutional Matters (governance issues, adequate checks and balances and the question of boundaries delimitation.
"Our initial discussions shall take cognizance of the already signed Framework document, during the bipartisan talks. We commend the constructive spirit and political will displayed so far. All of us now face historic responsibilities to bring about a just and lasting peace in Kenya," added the statement.
While the cost of living is top on Azimio's agenda, it is the establishment of the office of the leader of the opposition that is likely to raise eyebrows across the political camp.
On Friday, December 9, 2022, President Ruto asked Members of Parliament (MPs) to proceed with the amendments to entrench the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Constitution. If successful, the move will see Raila assume the powerful office.
"I, therefore, propose that Parliament consider an amendment to Chapter 9, Part IV of the Constitution to establish the office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, with its operational dimensions to be provided for in consequential legislation.
"The consequence is that the overall political leader of the minority side is effectively excluded from meaningful political participation, and left to rely on the minority house leadership to perform the function,” Ruto stated in a memo written to MPs.
If executed, the proposal would see the opposition enjoy a raft of privileges, including funding operations within the role of providing oversight over the government of the day.
In addition, the entrenchment of the law would see the opposition wield additional powers, from taking part in the appointment of key leaders to state organs and addressing Parliament on the state of the nation.
Azimio picked Wiper Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka to lead its dialogue team tasked with negotiations with Kenya Kwanza and its other members including Leader of the Minority Party in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi, DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.
Kenya Kwanza settled for National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah to lead its dialogue team and other members include the Leader of Majority of the Senate, Aaron Cheruiyot, Governor Cecily Mbarire, Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga.
Kalonzo Musyoka speaking during an interdenominational mass organised by Azimio la Umoja on July 28, 2023. /THE ODM PARTY
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