Azimio Calls Off Bipartisan Talks Again; Here's Why

A collage of President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
A collage of President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Kenyans.co.ke

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Tuesday, May 23, revealed that the Azimio coalition had, once again, called off the bipartisan talks after the committees failed to agree on four fundamental demands.

In a statement, the Senator noted that the suspension came after the Azimio team could not persuade its Kenya Kwanza counterparts to agree on the terms of engagement.

The issues they differed on included lowering the cost of unga, preservation of the election servers, suspension of IEBC reconstitution and for the Ruto regime to stop meddling in Jubilee Party affairs.

"We have had to suspend the bipartisan dialogue after we could not persuade our friends from Kenya Kwanza to concede to some common sense interim measures namely; lowering of the cost of unga, preservation of the election servers, suspension of IEBC reconstitution and for them to leave Jubilee alone.

An image of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna in a past function
A photo of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Photo
ODM

"These are necessary in our view in order to safeguard the outcome of the talks. We hope sense shall prevail," stated Sifuna who is a member of the Azimio bipartisan committee.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Monday, May 22, reiterated that if the Kenya Kwanza team was unable to meet their demands, they would call off the talks and resume the nationwide protests. 

Earlier on March 17, both parties issued additional demands as the talk continued writing to the National Assembly and Senate Speakers to seek additional funds to facilitate the deliberations.

Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo, a co-chair of the bipartisan team further revealed that they had already formed a sub-committee to prioritise the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel.

Additionally, the 14-member team hoped to enjoin members from outside Parliament in its discussions in a hybrid system.

"We want to expand this team. Although we will not be adding more members to the 14-member team, we will bring in other members who will serve as a technical team,” Tharaka MP and bipartisan co-chair George Murugara revealed.

Azimio agreed to the talks after the Kenya Kwanza team replaced Eldas MP Adan Keynan from the team on May 3, as per their demands.

The team was expected to deliberate, among other issues, the cost of living, the office of the opposition leader and the restructuring of the IEBC selection panel.

Maratha Karua at Azimio la Umoja
NARC Kenya Leader Martha (Centre) reads statement on behalf of Azimio la Umoja coalition on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Photo
Raila Odinga