Ruto Names Khalwale To Lead 7 MPs To Face Azimio In Bipartisan Talks

President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza parliamentary group have named Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale to lead the coalition in scheduled bi-partisan parliamentary engagements.

Other members named in the 7-member team include Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan, Tharaka MP George Murugara, nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri and Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.

Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika and Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei were also listed.

"The Parliamentary Group agreed with the President of a Parliamentary bipartisan approach in resolving such matters.

Kenya Kwanza MPs holding a Parliamentary Group meeting at State House Nairobi on April 11, 2023. /TWITTER.FLORA LIMUKII

"We agreed with the President on the need to govern the country with the constitution and the rule of law," the statement on Tuesday, April 11 revealed in part.

The Kenya Kwanza PG also agreed that they would not allow the opposition to blackmail the government by implementing the policies that destabilized the country.

The PG at the same time said maintained that the dialogue will be conducted within the confines of the law.

"As a PG we resist any attempts by the opposition to force or blackmail the government to implement the failed policies of the last regime that drove the country into an economic mess, including corruption-ridden consumption subsidies, irresponsible borrowing and gross fiscal mismanagement, through state capture," the PG said.

"We particularly support the government’s policy of subsidizing production rather than consumption and prudent fiscal management within a framework of managed debt levels." 

The PG further expressed confidence that the Ruto regime has laid out strategies and policies that will change the lives of ordinary citizens.

Azimio had previously unveiled their 7-member team to represent them in the 14-member committee. They include Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina and his Nairobi counterpart Edwin Sifuna as well as Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.

The rest of Raila's confidants came from the National Assembly and they include Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), David PKosing (Pokot South) and Otiende Amollo (Rarieda).

"The joint committee should recommend measures to lower the cost of unga, fuel, electricity and school fees and conduct a review and forensic audit of the servers used by the IEBC before, during, and after the 2022 presidential election.

"Review the appointment and dismissal of IEBC Commissioners, including their tenure of office, and recommend institutional, policy, legal, and constitutional mechanisms, restructuring and reforms of the IEBC," read Raila's statement released after the PG meeting which was also attended by the coalition's top leadership including NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua.

Raila's team had maintained that they wanted it expanded outside the corridors of Parliament even as they maintained that they did not want a power-sharing deal with the government.

During the meeting, Raila called for changes to the Constitution that will make the task of MPs switching political sides and retaining their seats more difficult.

“We recommend changes in the law that will instil party discipline by requiring MPs who cross party lines after the elections to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate and to allow parties to replace nominated MPs who cross party lines,” Raila stated.