Bipartisan Political Approach In Stalemate

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President William Ruto on Sunday April 2,urged Raila Odinga to call off demonstrations saying he had listened to their demands and suggested a bipartisan engagement in parliament on the reconstitution of the IEBC panel within the parameters of the law. The president further claimed that the protests called by the opposition chief had left a trail of destruction and threatened the country’s economic stability.

The president, however, brushed off claims on the Kenya Kwanza administration’s legitimacy, saying the matter was settled by the supreme court September last year.

Later on,the very same day,opposition leader Raila Odinga called for a temporary halt to anti-government after president William Ruto urged to negotiate with him. Raila Odinga said he’s ready for negotiations following the appeal of the president. He further demanded that his party reserves the right to call for demonstrations should this process not bear fruits.

Azimio la Umoja leadership has confirmed to meet in Machakos on Thursday, April 6 to discuss president Ruto’s proposal bipartisan talks on the recruitment of IEBC officials. The Kenya Kwanza team is also expected to retreat and debate the planned bipartisan engagement with the opposition.

How was the bipartisan approach received by the public?

Politicians,analysts and the general public started giving out their reasons why the two leaders had agreed on bipartisan dialogue. Former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s name featured prominently as many of the analysts and political insiders credited him with having engineered that tranquillity between the two political heavyweights.

Political analyst Professor Herman Manyora remarked that no one with certainty could claim that Uhuru met the duo,an assertion that was endorsed by Mokua…

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“Despite that there’s a degree that Uhuru was involved in bringing the two leaders together,that could have been achieved through either a physical meeting, telephone or sending of emissaries.”
Manyora claimed

The National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah refuted claims that such a meeting happened..

“I can confirm that Ruto has not met with Raila Odinga or Azimio leadership. He has not even spoken with Raila,leave alone a handshake.”
The Kikuyu MP remarked.

Professor Manyora, however, defended his belief that Uhuru Kenyatta played a critical role in the truce talks,terming Ichung’wah a small fish likely to be left out of the negotiations.

“If they were to meet,would Ichung’wah know? Does he have access to the president’s diary? These politicians must start accepting that they are small people in the picture.”
Remarked professor Manyora.

The announcement by president William Ruto and Raila Odinga caught netizens by surprise.

Photos of the former prime minister with president William Ruto alongside their alies surfaced the internet. This left the citizens satisfied with the fact that there was a meeting between the two leaders before the unexpected announcement.

Some netizens spoke against the move by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, most claiming that he had been lured into supporting the government. A decision away from his aim of fighting for an improved economy for the common citizens.

On the other hand,other citizens including religious leaders came in support of the bipartisan approach of dealing with the agendas raised by the opposition team. Adding on that this would bring peace in the country enhancing growth of it’s economy.