Kenya Kwanza, Azimio Leaders Clash Over 2 Members In Bipartisan Talks

Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio la Umoja bipartisan teams encountered a hurdle which made them fail to reach a consensus as the talks began in Nairobi on Thursday, April 20.

The Raila Odinga-led wing in the National Assembly had raised concerns over the composition of the 7-member team of Kenya Kwanza negotiators representing President William Ruto.

Minority Leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi who spoke after the meeting specified that Azimio had faulted the inclusion of Eldas Member of Parliament Aden Keynan into the committee.

Kenya Kwanza and Azimio leaders during bipartisan talks on April 20, 2023. /TWITTER.MDD

Wandayi at the same time conveyed that Kenya Kwanza objected to the inclusion of Pokot South MP David Pkosing after his KUP party recently entered a post-election deal with the ruling coalition.

“In the course of our engagement this morning we raised the issue of the inclusion of Eldas MP Adan Keynan as a member of the Kenya Kwanza negotiating team and our objection was premised on the fact that he is a member of the Jubilee party which is a constituent party of Azimio la Umoja one Kenya coalition.

“Our counterparts also raised an issue about our inclusion of Pokot South MP David Pkosing as a member of our team on grounds that his party leader John Lonyangapuo has entered into some arrangement with Kenya Kwanza,” said Wandayi who spoke after the meeting.

Wandayi added that they resolved to involve President Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to end the stalemate.

“We have since chosen to refer this matter to the leadership of our respective coalitions in a view to having it resolved,” he added.

Wandayi however allowed the two teams to begin talks informally without the need of being organised in committee forms.

"We will allow the two negotiation teams to begin engaging informally in order for them to explore terms of reference for the bipartisan talks. Should they disagree on any issue, they need to return to us for further discussion and agreements," Wandayi stated.

On his part, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah expressed confidence that the talks would be able to address the issues raised by the opposition.

Ichung'wah also confirmed hitting a stalemate over the composition of the committee but noted that the matter would be resolved, further requesting the Azimio leaders to exercise restraint and that the leadership of both coalitions should aim for peace.

The MPs also resolved the issue of the leadership of both teams that will be involved in the bipartisan talks. The Azimio la Umoja team will be led by Lawyer Otiende Amollo while the Kenya Kwanza side will be led by Gitonga Murugara.

“We have begun to speak to each other and to engage and put all the issues that have been raised on the table. We have confidence that under the leadership of Otiende Amolo and Gitonga Murugara that this team will be able to deal with all those issues,” Ichung’wah said.