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Azimio and Kenya Kwanza bipartisan teams allied to President William Ruto and opposition chief Raila Odinga struck a last-minute deal yesterday April 19 to hold an inaugural meeting of the bipartisan joint committee today, April 20 at the Panafric Hotel in Nairobi. The venue was arrived at as a neutral ground by the two teams.
The leaderships of the two teams will meet first to resolve disputes on the composition of the committee, especially the inclusion of Azimio-affiliated Jubilee party’s Adnan Keynan as a representative of the ruling coalition, an option which the opposition brigade rebelled too.
Read also: What Kimani Ichungwa Has Said as Bipartisan Talks Begin
After this meeting, all the 14 members will get together for familiarisation (and to work) on the framework of the talks as well as to discuss how to conduct the dialogue, as said by the chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja team in bipartisan talks, Otiende Amollo.
The neutral ground was agreed upon today avert the push and pull that had begun with each other team planning their own meetings.”
Mr. Amollo said.
Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, who is a member of the Kenya Kwanza bipartisan team, confirmed that the Panafric talks are not part of the formal bipartisan dialogues.
This is not a formal meeting but a familiarisation one. The formal meeting will happen after the names are brought to parliament and approved.”
Said senator Khalwale.
Also Read: WE CAN NEVER HAVE TWO GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA- MUSALIA MUDAVADI.
Why a neutral ground for the meeting between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza?
The neutral ground was arrived at by the leaderships of the teams after two letters; from both Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza suggested two different venues for meetings today.
National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, in his letter copied to the leaders of the minority in both houses and the chairperson of the Azimio team, Mr. Amollo, invited members to a meeting that he said would take place within parliament buildings today.
However, another letter from Otiende Amollo invited members to a meeting at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, the very today.
Except for those who object to and to move the extra-parliament dialogue formed, I have taken the step to invite all members of the Azimio/Kenya Kwanza bipartisan meeting to discuss a framework for dialogue. Time is of [the] essence.”
Mr. Amollo posted on social media.
However, Kenya Kwanza leader George Murugura insisted that the only meeting they would recognize was the one called by Kimani Ichung’wah.
The letter was requesting the parliament to facilitate a meeting on the bipartisan process for between six and eight members on the same day at a venue to be set by parliament. The intention is for parliament to set the process in motion as communicated by (National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula) on the floor of the House yesterday.
I had already committed to this meeting by parliament by the time I received your invitation for your proposed meeting.”
Murugura said in a letter sent to Otiende Amollo.
Senate minority leader Stewart Madzayo, in a letter to senate speaker Amason Kingi yesterday, said that the Azimio team would not participate in the bipartisan talks through parliament.
The majority cannot dictate what we can or cannot bring to the table if in indeed this process is truly bipartisan. I regret to inform you that the members of the minority will not participate in the proposed bipartisan engagements in parliament.”
The letter read in part.
Earlier on, April 17, 2023, several leaders had made comments on the bipartisan formed meeting. The leaders spoke during a fundraiser at Homabay Central SDA church in Homabay town.
Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot said MPs engaged in the bipartisan talks should come up with a solution to end disputes in the country.
Bipartisan are commencing on Tuesday. Let us hope that the talks are going go yield fruits so that Kenya remains a united country.
Cheruiyot remarked.
Cheruiyot said differences in opinion among political leaders should not tear the country apart.
It is a fact that the cost of living is high and there is a food shortage in the country. The government is solving the problem by giving Kenyans subsidised fertiliser to increase production. Differences should not divide Kenyans.”
Cheruiyot said.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita challenged MPs leading the bipartisan talks from both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza to avoid selfish interests.
I call upon leaders from both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza parties to avoid chest thumping in this matter. Let them be driven by the interests of the common man who is suffering in Kenya.”
Nyamita said.
