United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala on Wednesday, April 26, revealed that the Kenya Kwanza team was willing to drop Jubilee MP Adan Keynan from its bipartisan talks lineup.
While speaking in Kilifi town, during the UDA grassroots mobilisation exercise, Malala blamed the collapse of the talks on Azimio la Umoja over untenable demands.
The Secretary-General further accused Azimio, which is led by Raila Odinga, of forcing the collapse of bipartisan talks in order to focus on planned street protests.
“We are ready to replace Keynan whom they have refused and we can even give them an opportunity to choose a committee member for us if they so wish,” he stated.
He, however, emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza Government shall not be intimidated by anti-government protests but will focus on service delivery to the citizens.
"Kenya Kwanza Government has an agenda to serve the people of Kenya and no amount of threats, protests, and demonstrations can stop the government from performing its duties to Kenyans," he narrated.
Azimio committee had cited the inclusion of Aden Keynan in the Kenya Kwanza team as one of the reasons for suspending the talks.
No Handshake
Malala, in his speech, also assured party supporters that there will be no handshake between President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“They told us that the talks should be outside Parliament and we obeyed, now they are saying that they will not talk and they will carry sufurias to the streets.
"I am encouraging them that they can even carry boilers on their heads but there will be no handshake,” he narrated.
At the same time, Malala warned Kenyans against joining religious organisations that possess cultic tendencies.
Malala elaborated that the country was currently in a shameful situation due to the Shakahola cult.
“There is freedom of worship but as a party, we believe that when believing in God we should do so while respecting human rights,” he said.
His sentiments came at a time when the government was grappling with the Shakahola cult massacre that led to the exhumation of more than 90 bodies from Shakahola village.
“Before one enters or joins a religious organisation they should seek advice from family members, elders, and parents," he noted.
