Sifuna Names 3 Key Issues In Raila-Ruto Bipartisan Talks
In a statement, Sifuna revealed the three issues that would put the talks at risk even as they are set to begin in Parliament.
Marvin Chege 
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday, April 12 exposed three loopholes that questioned the seriousness of President William Ruto in ongoing bipartisan talks between the Kenya Kwanza government and President William Ruto.
In a statement, Sifuna revealed the three issues that would put the talks at risk even as they are set to begin in Parliament.
Among them include the affirmation of the process purely involving the Parliament as well as the failure by Ruto's government to take steps to lower the cost of living, especially the cost of unga.
He also raised an issue with the inclusion of Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan Wehliye, a member of the Jubilee party which is an affiliate of the Azimio coalition, into the Kenya Kwanza 7-member team for the talks.
Members picked to represent Azimio and Kenya Kwanza in bipartisan talks. /VIRALTEAKE
"In gauging Ruto’s seriousness with the so-called bipartisan dialogue he himself called for three things. The insistence on a purely Parliamentary process is a red flag.
"The inclusion of Hon. Keynan in his team is absolute bad faith and a slap in the face. The refusal to do anything to lower the price of Unga is a deal breaker," he stated.
Sifuna was appearing to side with Minority Leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi on the matter of including Keynan to the Kenya Kwanza team who had raised an issue with his inclusion, as well as Kibwezi West MP, Mwengi Mutuse of Maendeleo Chap Chap.
"The idea of killing political parties is one of the issues that we would like to address in the Bi-partisan Committee. Legally, Maendeleo Chap Chap and Jubilee Party remain bonified members of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition," Wandayi stated.
Keynan decamped to join the government after Azimio La Umoja lost the 2022 General Election. Maendeleo Chap Chap decamped from the Azimio coalition days to the 2022 elections.
Others in the Kenya Kwanza team are Majority Whip Boni Khalwale (Kakamega Senator), George Murugara (MP Tharaka), Esther Okenyuri (Nominated Senator), Mwangi Mutuse (MP Kibwezi West), Lydia Haika (Women Rep Taita Taveta) and Hillary Sigei (Senator Bomet).
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 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).
Meanwhile, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, April 11 maintained that President William Ruto would intervene in the bipartisan talks if any pressing matters arise, as the President focuses on reviving the economy, despite Azimio's calls for expanded talks.
"Let the politics be done in parliament. The National Assembly leader of the Majority Kimani Ichung'wah is equal to the task and when they will need our help, we will intervene.
"Ours is to focus on business and the economy," he stated.
With respect to threats by Azimio to return to the streets, Gachagua asserted that the government was this time prepared to squarely deal with individuals who would be caught destroying property while dealing with the protests.
"If they return to the streets as they are threatening, they will not be able to step into the CBD and business centres such as Eastleigh. The responsibility of the government is to protect businesses.
"The government will not allow anybody to destroy property in this country," he stated.
President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre joined the Muslim faithful for Iftar, organised by the Eastleigh Business District Association on April 11, 2023. /FACEBOOK.RIGATHI GACHAGUA
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