Kenya Kwanza has unveiled a 5-member team to engage with the Azimio coalition in a bid to resolve the political impasse between the government and the opposition.
Kikuyu MP, Kimani Ichung'wah, who also serves as the National Assembly Majority leader, shared the names in a statement he issued on Wednesday, August 2.
Who Did Kenya Kwanza Select?
Other than Kimani Ichung'wah, Kenya Kwanza settled on the Leader of Majority in the Senate, Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga wrap up the list.
What Are the Kenya Kwanza Demands?
Ichung'wah faulted the Azimio team for allegedly disregarding Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's request not to be mentioned in any public statement. He thus argued that the opposition lacked decency, a statement which may stir Azimio to respond.
Azimio, in their past press conferences, had claimed that Kenya Kwanza was opposed to Obasanjo leading the talks, a few days after rejecting the same offer made by Tanzania President Mama Samia Suluhu and her South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Further, the Majority leader demanded the Raila Odinga-led faction abide by the five issues agreed upon at their first meeting.
This involved the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), implementation of the 2/3 gender rule and entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Others were the establishment and the entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and the embedment of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
"For avoidance of doubt, brutality shall no longer and shall never be part of our nation's political discourse. As agreed, there shall be no discussion of whatever nature on matters handshake or 'nusu mkate," Ichung'wah's statement read in part.
Cost of Living - The Controversial Subject
Following the release of the agreement letters by the two camps, the two sides were divided over the discussion of the cost of living.
On one hand, Raila maintained his stance that the cost of living must feature among the issues discussed between the two camps.
However, President William Ruto argued that the cost of living was unnecessary in the talks, as his government had clearly outlined measures that will be undertaken to reboot the economy. His manifesto also provided interventions set to be adopted to lower the cost of living.
"We are already implementing the manifesto that is moving towards lowering the cost of living. Fertiliser will soon cost Ksh2,500. We have a whole program that will be catered towards that," Ruto stated on July 30, 2023.
Who Will Represent Azimio?
The Kenya Kwanza team is slated to participate in the dialogue with the Azimio team, which comprises Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi.
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