Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, April 11, announced the return of public engagements in Nairobi.
In a statement, the opposition leader noted that he had scheduled a townhall meeting with his supporters on Thursday, April 13 followed by a Kamukunji event for Sunday.
The statement, which was signed by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya, indicated that the public engagements followed the coalition's demands to President William Ruto ahead of the bipartisan talks.
"On April 1, 2023, we called off street demonstrations against the Kenya Kwanza regime to give way for a structured dialogue on issues we feel are critical to the wellbeing of the country namely: the high cost of unga, fuel, electricity and school fees, opening and audit of the IEBC servers, protection of the letter and spirit of fidelity to multiparty democracy and adherence to the principle of inclusivity in the appointment of civil servants.
"As the negotiators take up their responsibilities, we will embark on a series of direct engagements with members of the public through town hall meetings and public Barazas," the statement read in part.
On how the engagements will take place, Azimio stated, "We will hold the first town hall meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, 13th April 2023, to be followed by a people's Baraza at the Kamukunji grounds on Sunday, 16th April, 2023."
Azimio remarked that the baraza's were to enable the party to explain to the people where they were and the upcoming course of action following the suspension of protests.
Raila had called off protests on Sunday, April 2, to allow the opposition and the government to engage on issues that had been raised by the former.
Despite resuming public engagements, Azimio warned that it should not be misconstrued that the coalition was not committed to the bipartisan talks.
"Azimio remains committed to the spirit of the Easter deal that saw the two parties to commit dialogue and call on Kenya Kwanza to come to the table with clean hands, unclenched fists, and a commitment to an honest and transparent process that engages on all the issues bedeviling our country," the coalition assured Kenyans.
Azimio and Kenya Kwanza each picked 7 member team to take part in the parliamentary bipartisan talks.
Azimio team include; Senator Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), Senator Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), MP Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Senator Enock Wambua (Kitui), MP Amina Mnyazi (Malindi), MP David Pkosing (Pokot South) and MP Otiende Amollo (Rarieda).
On their part, Kenya Kwanza picked; Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, Tharaka MP George Murugara, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Eldas MP Adan Keynan and Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika.
