Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot on Friday, April 14, called on Azimio la Umoja Coalition to choose between bipartisan talks in Parliament and street demonstrations.
The firebrand politician maintained that there was no way the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition can agree to engage in talks with the opposition when there are parallel street protests.
“Is it bipartisan talks or the streets, you cannot have it both ways. No double chance betting. You must at least believe in something,” Cheruiyot noted in a statement.
The Kericho Senator further explained that Azimio's declaration of organising protests alongside bipartisan talks showed that the opposition lacked commitment.
Cheruiyot's remarks came a day after Azimio's seven-member team led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo insisted that the process cannot be strictly parliamentary, citing public participation concerns.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga, during a Town Hall meeting he held in Nairobi on Thursday, April 13, hinted at a possibility of resuming street demonstrations after the conclusion of the Ramadan festivities.
While addressing his supporters, Raila warned that Azimio was yet to agree to be part of the negotiations.
"Do we agree that mass action and negotiations should go hand in hand? Immediately after the Ramadhan, I will announce when the countrywide mass actions will return," Raila assured.
Azimio's Town Hall meeting in Nairobi was the first of a series of public engagements unveiled by Odinga which he said were aimed at informing his supporters about the progress of the engagement with the government.
Azimio settled on coalition's Spokesperson Makau Mutua and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni as assisting counsels to the seven-member team. They also named Odinga’s attorney Paul Mwangi as joint secretary for the bipartisan talks.
The inclusion of 3 non-lawmakers in Azimio’s team complicated the matter even further as President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Coalition insisted that the process must be strictly parliamentary.
Odinga suspended street protests after heeding President William Ruto's call for a national dialogue.
Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group on Tuesday, April 11, nominated Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale to lead the seven-member team in the bipartisan talks.
Other members were Eldas MP Adan Keynan, Tharaka MP George Murugara, nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika, and Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei.
"We agreed with the President on the need to govern the country with the constitution and the rule of law," read part of the Kenya Kwanza statement after unveiling the team.
