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Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga, suspended countrywide protests on May 3rd, the eve of Thursday 4, the date scheduled for the demonstrations.
The opposition chief Raila Odinga released a statement announcing that his team had arrived at an otherwise decision away from protests, rather opted to divert back to the bipartisan proposal with Kenya Kwanza government. The decision-making came following Kenya Kwanza’s move to drop Eldas member of parliament from their team.
This evening, the leadership of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party met and agreed to once more suspend the mass protests that we had earlier scheduled to continue tomorrow. The coalition took this step following the decision by Kenya Kwanza to accede to one of our demands that informed the resumption of mass action.”
Odinga’s statement read in part.
Raila Odinga says his team is Ready for Negotiations
The opposition leader confirmed that his coalition had already summoned its seven-member team who would represent Azimio la Umoja in bipartisan talks, more so, regarding the release of fresh instructions for the 14-member committee.
Instead of holding the protests, we have summoned our seven-member delegation to the bipartisan committee for fresh instructions to inform further engagement with the Kenya Kwanza side.”
Odinga added.
Read : It is MAANDAMANO Tuesday – Raila Odinga announces
On the other hand, the ruling party, Kenya Kwanza made changes to their 7-member team after the opposition raised a concern over the inclusion of Adnan Keynan, which resulted in the collapse of the negotiations in recent days.
The majority leader of the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah released a statement in confirmation of the dropping off of Adan Keynan from the member’s list. Keynan’s position in the membership committee was taken by Saku lawmaker Diddo Rasso. This approach was taken in order to appease and meet demands presented by Azimio la Umoja coalition, who were strongly against his participation.
We have consulted with Hon Keynan and the Coalition’s top leadership and the Hon Adan Wehliye Keynan has graciously agreed, in the country’s greater interest, to recuse himself from the bi-partisan committee.
Kimani Ichung’wah said.
We have nominated the Saku MP Dido Rasso to replace the Hon. Adan Keynan in the Bipartisan Committee.”
Read: MP Ichung’wa tells three embattled IEBC officials to resign
The just suspended countrywide demonstrations had been confirmed earlier to resume on Thursday, May 4 by Azimio la Umoja principal Martha Karua. This was following the disruption they incurred from security personnel on Tuesday, May 4th.
At the break of dawn, police got stations in all parts of Nairobi Metropolis and city centre to prevent us from proceeding with our peaceful protests as planned. Unfortunately, because of the mayhem, we were not able to present the petitions to the four offices.
Karua said.
Despite these developments, we are energised that Kenyans are determined to claim their country. We march on. Tomorrow we take a break to strategise and recharge. Our protests will resume on Thursday, May 4. Same meeting, same office and same people.”
