Ruto Inflicted First Blow Minutes After Suspension Of Bipartisan Talks

Nderitu made the clarification on Tuesday, April 25 in a response letter to National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Apr 25, 2023 - 14:01 Updated: Apr 25, 2023 - 14:13
0
Ruto Inflicted First Blow Minutes After Suspension Of Bipartisan Talks
Side by side image of President William Ruto and Raila Odinga. /FILE

The Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu has clarified that her office has no record of a coalition agreement linking the Jubilee Party and the Kenya Union Party (KUP) to the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

Nderitu made the clarification on Tuesday, April 25 in a response letter to National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

She assured that her office is committed to the institutionalisation of the political parties and coalitions and would address the facts in line with the law.

Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu during a past address. /CAPITAL GROUP

“Reference is made to the above subject matter and the letter received on 25 April 2023 regarding the status of the coalition agreement between Kenya Union Party, Jubilee Party and Kenya Kwanza Coalition.

“This Office has no official record of any coalition agreement that involves Kenya Union Party, Jubilee Party and Kenya Kwanza Coalition. This office is committed to the institutionalization of the political parties and coalitions,” the letter read.

The letter came moments after Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalition suspended the bipartisan talks which reached a stalemate 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) to the bipartisan committee.

Wandayi had sought clarity from Nderitu after both coalitions hit a stalemate regarding the inclusion of Keynan and Pkosing in the committee.

Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo, who spoke in Nairobi at a hotel, the team was left with three options; either or both Keynan (Kenya Kwanza) and Pkosing (Azimio) choose to step down from the team.

Another option was for both parties to withdraw their objections to Keynan and Pkosing and retain them in the bipartisan team.

The last option was up to Azimio party leader, Raila Odinga, and President William Ruto to decide to withdraw either of the two MPs upon their choosing.

"Until then, we have hit a stalemate and chose to suspend these talks until such time as there may be consensus or position changes. Adan Keynan, who defected to Kenya Kwanza, is not a Jubilee member. He is in Azimio Coalition - as a vice chair deputising Wycliffe Oparanya (former Kakamega governor).

"We have not had an issue of principle on Pkosing. He is a member of the KUP Party, which signed a pre-election agreement with Azimio," Amollo stated.

Amollo further argued that KUP, led by former West Pokot governor, John Krop Lanyangapuo, had indicated in April 2023 that it was in the process of moving to withdraw from the Azimio coalition.

"To date, no agreement to withdraw from Azimio. Pkosing is the deputy leader and has not made any indication to move. He is also the deputy treasurer in Azimio.

"This shows that the Pkosing issue was made as an afterthought to appear as if we are on the same pedestal with the grievance we raised on Keynan's issue. It's a basis of intention, not reality," he added.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo addresses the media on the bipartisan talks on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Crown Plaza Hotel. /THE STAR

Tags: