Raila Calls Off Bipartisan Talks Again, Cites 4 Issues

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Tuesday, May 23 revealed that the Azimio la Umoja coalition had once again called off the bipartisan talks.

In a statement, the Senator noted that the talks were suspended after the 14-member committee failed to agree on four fundamental demands.

Sifuna alleged that Azimio had failed to persuade its Kenya Kwanza counterparts to agree on the terms of engagement.

"We have had to suspend the Bipartisan dialogue after we could not persuade our friends from KK to concede to some common sense interim measures namely; Lowering of the cost of Unga, Preservation of the Election Servers, Suspension of IEBC reconstitution and for them to leave Jubilee alone.

"These are necessary in our view in order to safeguard the outcome of the talks. We hope sense shall prevail," stated Sifuna.

The talks were initially suspended on Tuesday, April 25 after Azimio indicated that the two teams failed to reach a consensus regarding the inclusion of MPs Adan Keynan (Eldas) and David Pkosing (Pokot South) in the bipartisan committee.

Kenya Kwanza on Wednesday, May 3 yielded to Azimio's demands and announced that Keynan had recused himself from the committee.

Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka on Monday, May 22, threatened to cancel the ongoing bipartisan talks between Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza coalitions over rogue members of the Jubilee Party.

Speaking at Ngong Racecourse during the party's National Delegates Convention (NDC), Kalonzo demanded that the rebels who were kicked out during the NDC should seek re-election from the people under their newfound party outfits.

"If you want bipartisan talks to continue, from today those who have left Jubilee should accept to hold by-elections in their respective areas if they respect multipartyisim," Kalonzo said.

Backing up Kalonzo was Raila, who threatened to resume bi-weekly demonstrations if the talks do not address the high cost of living, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) server issues, and the independence of political parties.

"We said the talks should be one month and we're now left with 14 days. If the bipartisan committee cannot reach a solution on the cost of living, the servers and freedom of political parties, we shall go back to the streets. We will not be intimidated," he said.

The 14-member Bipartisan Committee comprising Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza Parliamentarians on Wednesday, May 17 tasked six members with discussing the reconstitution of the IEBC.

Kenya Kwanza Alliance was represented by Kakamega Senator Boni Kwalwale, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and Kibewzi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.

Azimio was represented by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo.