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Finally, bipartisan talks between Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition and Kenya Kwanza have kicked off after a long wait. The dialogue on discussing matters affecting the nation had been suspended after the Azimio brigade lost faith in the Kenya Kwanza team, accusing them of lack of transparency and dishonesty.
Ahead of resumption, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has issued a stern warning to the Kenya Kwanza government, pointing out that its members are making attempts to sabotage the ongoing bipartisan talks. Odinga released a statement firing shots at the ruling party, for allegedly crippling Azimio-affiliated parties in the just-started talks.
Read: Raila’s Azimio bipartisan team suspends talks
Bipartisan Talks Resumes
The opposition chief also noted that his team did not agree to engage in bipartisan talks as a sign of fear, rather they remain committed to the spirit of peace and stability of the nation.
Read: Kenya Kwanza Unveils 7-member Bipartisan Dialogue Team
Kenya Kwanza must take a final notice from us that they risk scuttling a very serious national agenda through shortsighted intransigence, dishonesty and a game of musical chairs.
Said Odinga.
We remind Kenya Kwanza a final time that we did not agree to engage in talks because we are weak. We remain committed to the spirit of peace and stability that necessitated the talks. However, we will never negotiate out of fear.”
Either, Raila also mentioned that the ongoing scuffle on Azimio la Umoja, particularly its affiliate Jubilee party, is a state-sponsored assault on multipartyism and demanded the inclusion of Jubilee as a party for the bipartisan dialogue.
The attack on Azimio is, therefore, a state-sponsored assault on multipartysm and a continuing indication that Kenya Kwanza remains dishonest and contemptuous of the process of dialogue where respect for the autonomy of political parties is one of our agenda.
Raila remarked.
The latest show of this contempt is the letter by UDA-backing Jubilee members demanding the inclusion of Jubilee as a party in the talks, failure to which they will seek redress in court.”
He also said that the opposition has witnessed Kenya Kwanza intentionally using hired backers to cripple the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, a move he termed as a dangerous approach.
Kenya Kwanza is clearly working through its hired backers to scuttle the talks or cripple them through endless litigation. These games could prove extremely costly.”
Raila added.
Speaking on the same note, Rarieda lawmaker, who also happens to be the leader of the Azimio bipartisan team, has commented on protests from a fraction of Jubilee party members over exclusion from the bipartisan talks. Amollo confirmed that Azimio will address the matter raised by the former ruling party differently.
We received a letter from Jubilee Party protesting the removal of Eldas MP Adan Keynan indicating that they need that matter addressed and gave notice that they shall be going to court.
Said Otiende Amollo
We agreed that the question of constitution of respective teams is not for this team to discuss. That is for the Parliamentary Group and the respective coalitions.”
