Murkomen Accuses Ichung'wah, Kalonzo Of Delaying Raila-Ruto Talks

Murkomen said that the two leaders of their respective negotiation teams should be responsible in the event the talks fail.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Aug 6, 2023 - 20:00 Updated: Aug 6, 2023 - 20:16
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Murkomen Accuses Ichung'wah, Kalonzo Of Delaying Raila-Ruto Talks
Collage image of Kalonzo Musyoka, CS Kipchumba Murkomen and National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung'wah. /VIRALTEAKE

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen on Sunday, August 6 criticised both National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka over time-wasting ahead of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition's ceasefire talks with the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

Speaking during a fundraising campaign at St Arnold Nyalienga Catholic Church in Homa Bay County, Murkomen faulted the duo for resorting to writing letters to each other instead of utilising phone calls so that the talks can start as soon as possible.

According to the CS, the talks have grabbed the attention of the whole country and by delaying starting the talks, they are holding the whole country at ransom.

Murkomen said that the two leaders of their respective negotiation teams should be responsible in the event the talks fail.

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

"Instead of talking now, they are writing letters to each other. If the plans fail and the country falls into anarchy, they will be held responsible," he said.

Murkomen was in the company of Governor Gladys Wanga, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and his Ugenya counterpart David Ochieng'.

The use of letters as a means of communication between the two representatives has been causing delays in the talks, especially since Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, has issued a 30-day ultimatum for the talks to be completed.

In response, Raila threatened to return to anti-government protests if the discussions continue dragging on to the point they fail again.

The former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator urged both sides to approach the talks with sincerity and drop hardline stances, arguing that they should have got down to business since they affirmed that they do not want a power-sharing deal in the Kenya Kwanza government.

"Both teams have said they do not want a nusu mkate (coalition government). So why are the two gentlemen wasting Kenyans' time? Both have set their agendas and should discuss them as soon as possible," said Murkomen.

The CS further observed that both parties can find sustainable solutions to all issues raised by the opposition, adding that this is not the first time that political leaders are holding talks when the country is facing difficulties.

"If they want to meet in a restaurant or County Hall, we do not want to know. When they get there, let them talk. Is there a problem in the dialogue?

"If they don't have each other's number I will share the contacts," he went on.

Kalonzo and Ichung'wah have been communicating via letters posted on social media, with Kalonzo being the first to issue a letter inviting the ruling coalition for talks on Monday, August 7 at Serena Hotel.

However, Ichung'wah countered with his own proposal in his own letter that the talks should commence on Thursday, August 10, suggesting that they be held at County Hall in Nairobi or government offices to prevent the wastage of public resources.

"We respectfully request your team to allow the two teams to schedule our meetings at public venues such as County Hall which I would be happy to engage the Parliamentary Service Commission to make available or in the alternative at the School of Government- Kabete.

"Your Excellency Sir, it is our considered view that these are venues that will not occasion any additional expenditure to the public and which would otherwise be available for such public meetings at little or no cost to us or to the Kenyan taxpayers as opposed to the luxurious five star Serena Hotel- Nairobi," added the letter.

Kenya Kwanza added that in any case, since the coalitions are only discussing matters that concern the people of Kenya, it is believed that such matters should be in open public spaces.

Ichung'wah argued that open debate and discussions would be ideal since the issues they will be discussing are those of public interest, including what he termed as the reckless accumulation of public debt, cognizant of the prevailing economic conditions and the need for austerity measures both at an individual and collective level.

Raila Odinga speaking to the press flanked by top Azimio leaders at SKM Centre on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA