Azimio Hand Makau Mutua, Kioni New Roles In Bipartisan Talks

The Azimio la Umoja coalition has included Azimio la Umoja spokesperson Professor Makau Mutua and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni in its bipartisan team.

Addressing the press conference on Thursday, April 13, the team led by its Chair Otiende Amollo revealed that Mutua and Kioni would serve as the assisting counsel to the 7-member team.

The team under the Raila Odinga-led coalition also appointed Lawyer Paul Mwangi to act as joint secretary in the talks.

Lawyer Paul Mwangi during the hearing of the Presidential petition at the Supreme Court. /THE JUDICIARY

"We the team put together to spearhead dialogue on behalf of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition have had our meeting this morning to prepare for the onset of the talks. 

"We individually and collectively thank our Principals and Colleagues in the Coalition for the great honour bestowed upon us and assure the coalition and our supporters and the general public that we will do our very best to ensure we achieve the set goals," stated Amollo in part.

The Azimio bipartisan team reiterated the commitment of the coalition and the team to an honest, open and genuine dialogue that will result in meaningful change in the lives of the people of Kenya.

Amollo added that the team will give every effort to find answers to the four main issues as framed by the Coalition namely; a reduction in the cost of unga, electricity and fuel, a forensic audit of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers, bipartisan reconstitution of the IEBC and respect for democracy and party discipline.

The Rarieda Member of Parliament (MP) however faulted the manner in which President William Ruto's side is handling the negotiation process.

"We reiterate our readiness and commitment to the process but decry the delay exhibited by our Kenya Kwanza counterparts. We note the delay in naming the 7-member team and that up to now they have not named their chair leaving us at a loss as to whom to engage," he added.

The Azimio team also tasked Kenya Kwanza to reconsider the inclusion of Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan Wehliye, a member of the Jubilee party which is an affiliate of the Azimio coalition, into the Kenya Kwanza 7-member team for the talks.

"We note that our counterparts have named Hon. Adan Keynan as part of their team. Hon Keynan is a member of Azimio.

"The issue of Party discipline is one of the four cardinal issues on the table and his inclusion is in bad faith and intended to delay the process. We, therefore, request that he be replaced," stated Amollo.

The team accused the Kenya Kwanza principals of initiating an extra-Parliamentary process and urged them to accept the text and spirit of the constitution of public participation consultation and inclusivity in such processes.

The Kenya Kwanza team was yet to respond to Azimio's allegations by the time of going to press.

While revealing his 3-point agenda for the town hall meeting that is currently ongoing, Raila revealed that the meeting will involve charting a path for the country's salvation, engaging all stakeholders on issues affecting Kenyans and rejecting a Parliament he alleged was being controlled by President Ruto.

Raila Odinga during a press briefing on April 4, 2023. /FILE