Azimio's bipartisan team on Thursday, April 13, announced an expansion of their negotiating committee members after consultation with the coalition leadership.
In its inaugural press conference, the Azimio team appointed Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and Law Scholar Makau Mutua to the team.
"We individually and collectively thank our Principals and Colleagues in the Coalition for the great honor bestowed upon us and assure the coalition and our supporters and the general public that we will do our very best to ensure we achieve the set goals," read part of the statement by Azimio la Umoja.
Prof Makau and Kioni will serve as assisting counsels to the team during negotiations with the Kenya Kwanza outfit.
Led by Rarieda Member of Parliament (MP) Otiende Amollo, the Azimio wing of negotiators also stated that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga's Lawyer Paul Mwangi will be part of the committee.
Mwangi will serve as the joint Secretary to the Bipartisan Committee, which is yet to meet since the two sides unveiled representatives.
"We reiterate the commitment of the coalition and this team to an honest, open and genuine dialogue that will result in meaningful change in the lives of the people of Kenya," Otiende stated.
Otiende also confirmed that the new appointments meant that the negotiations were no longer a Parliamentary process as initiated by President William Ruto.
"We urge our counterparts to accept the text and spirit of the constitution of public participation consultation and inclusivity in such processes," Otiende stated.
The Azimio la Umoja further expressed displeasure with the inclusion of Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan to the committee, claiming that his appointment was in bad faith.
"Hon Keynan is a member of Azimio. The issue of Party discipline is one of the four cardinal issues on the table and his inclusion is in bad faith and intended to delay the process. We, therefore, request that he be replaced," Otiende demanded.
However, Azimio's negotiators stated that they were ready to kick-start the process but decried the delay exhibited by the Kenya Kwanza side.
"We note the delay in naming the 7-member team and that up to now they have not named their chair leaving us at a loss as to whom to engage," Otiende lamented.
The Lawmakers also sounded a warning that the negotiations will not succeed unless every effort is placed to find answers to the four main issues, including a reduction in the cost of unga, electricity and fuel, forensic audit of the IEBC servers, bipartisan reconstitution of the IEBC and respect for democracy and party discipline.
Constitutional Lawyer Bobby Mukangi observed that the Bipartisan Committee will most likely make recommendations that will lead to the formation of another panel that will handle matters arising from discussions.
"The bipartisan committee cannot by itself review the constitution, but the members can make necessary recommendations to the principals.
"A constitutional review process is completely different from the mandate of the bipartisan committee, but it's a vital step towards achieving such a process," Mkangi stated.
