Details of Azimio Letter That Saved Bipartisan Team From Dissolution

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (in blue shirt) in Malindi addressing the press on Friday April 5, 2023
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (in blue shirt) in Malindi addressing the press on Friday, April 5, 2023
Photo
Sheshi Visual Arts

Azimio Coalition, on the night of Tuesday, May 30, made frantic efforts to save the joint parliamentary bipartisan team from dissolution.

A letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, signed by the bi-partisan team co-chairperson Otiende Amollo raised concerns about the committee's future.'

Otiende, despite Azimio issuing Kenya Kwanza an ultimatum on addressing its demand, indicated that the opposition would not push for the dissolution of the bipartisan team

The soft stance offered a lifeline to the teetering talks in spite of Azimio suspending the talks. 

Azimio la Umoja Bipartisan Team
Chair of the Azimio bi-partisan talks team Otiende Amolo and other negotiators during a press briefing in Nairobi on April 13, 2023.
Photo
Azimio la Umoja

“We withhold issuance of Notice of Dissolution under clause 38 of the Framework Agreement as you respond to the foregoing,” the Rarieda Member of Parliament stated.

Otiende also deviated from the threats Azimio is accustomed to, as witnessed during the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting, requesting Kenya Kwanza to heed their requests. 

The letter, addressed to George Murugara, co-chairperson of the bipartisan committee, indicated that Kenya Kwanza side look at Azimio's demands on the cost of living, finance bill and interference by the State on Jubilee Party affairs.

“Kindly find herein enclosed two letters to the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the Chairperson of the IEBC Selection Panel, respectively, for your signature.

“Kindly also find enclosed the Resolutions of The Azimio Parliamentary Group Meeting held on Tuesday, May 30,” the letter read in part.

However, Azimio maintained its earlier ultimatum that Kenya Kwanza had hours to respond to the issues raised.

“As you will notice, the aforesaid resolutions require further concessions on certain important and urgent matters before midnight of Tuesday, May 30, and we urge you to consider the same,” Otiende beseeched Murugara.

Earlier, media reports indicated Azimio agreed to resume the talks unconditionally on Wednesday, May 31.

A highly placed source within the bi-partisan committee refuted the claims affirming the talks remained suspended.

Tharaka MP George Murugara (left), Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale (centre) and Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri (right) during a meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Tharaka MP George Murugara (left), Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale (centre) and Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri (right) during a meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Photo
Esther Okenyuri

“What Azimio has done is give Kenya Kwanza more time to consider their demands,” the reliable source told Kenyans.co.ke.

On Tuesday, May 30, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala revealed that the government had ignored the demands in totality

“We cannot have the opposition giving ultimatums to the President. When they failed in holding demos, we saved their face by having them raise their grievances in Parliament,” Malala stated, noting Azimio was to return to the negotiating table without extra conditions.