NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 14 – Siaya Governor James Orengo has issued fresh demands for proposed bi-partisan talks saying President William Ruto must be clear on the inclusion of Azimio’s demands on Parliament’s agenda by Sunday.
‘’I believe that time has come within this week for President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza team to come clear on the issues that have been put on the table,’’ he said.
Orengo’s assertion on Friday came even as Azimio leader Raila Odinga announced resumption of street protests after the Ramadhan period saying the demonstrations would run parrel to proposed talks on the reconstitution of the electoral commission.
‘’The measure that has been taken by our leader Raila Odinga to go back to the people and to have Kamukunji on Sunday will be a reminder that they cannot take us for granted and they cannot take us for a ride,’’ Orengo said.
Orengo described Azimio’s team of negotiators as competent terming its members as sober minded people.
He added that the team is not gullible to fall for deception by Ruto’s side.
‘’I think we have a very good team, sober-minded people, I don’t think they will play us games if the concrete agenda is on the table with the one which we are going to discuss with the opposite side,’’ he stated.
Uncertainty
Orengo’s sentiments emerged even as Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot fired back at the opposition alliance over its decision to resume street protests.
“Is it bipartisan talks or the streets, you cannot have it both ways. No double chance betting. You must at least believe in something,” Cheruiyot tweeted Friday following Raila Odinga’s announcement on Thursday.
His remarks suggested that the government side would not engage Azimio should they make good their plan to hold parallel political activities including the weekly protests that have had a heavy toll on the economy.
Odinga announced the resumption of bi-weekly protests after the conclusion of the Ramadan festivities during a Town Hall meeting in Nairobi.
“We have listened to you in this forum that we should continue with dialogue even as we stage demonstrations,” he said.
Prior to convening the Town Hall, Odinga who halted the protests after heeding to President William Ruto’s call for dialogue said Azimio would resist “a Ruto-controlled Parliament”.
Extra-parliamentary process
Odinga’s side has insisted on an extra-parliamentary process naming three non-legislators to join its seven-member team of negotiators.
The coalition’s seven-member team led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo issued the demand on Thursday.
Speaking to news reporters at a Nairobi hotel, Amollo insisted that the process cannot be strictly parliamentary citing public participation concerns.
“Our Constitution requires that any engage involved the public there must be public participation. It [talks] can end up in Parliament but it can’t be strictly Parliament,” he said.
He said the team had appointed Azimio Spokesperson Makau Mutua and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni as Assisting Counsel. He named Odinga’s attorney Paul Mwangi as joint secretary.
The inclusion of three non-lawmakers in Azimio’s team complicated matters with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Coalition having insisted that the process must be strictly parliamentary.
Azimio also set out four thematic areas it wanted addressed in the bi-partisan talks including the removal of allied MP who have expressed support for government.
The coalition also demanded its involvement in the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and a forensic audit of the agency’s 2022 election servers.
Azimio’s Amollo-led team includes Ledama Ole Kina, Edwin Sifuna, Enoch Wambua, Amina Mnyanzi, Millie Adhiambo and David Pkosing.
Kenya Kwanza named Bonny Khalwale, George Murugara, Essy Okenyuri, Mwengi Mutuse, Lydia Haika, Hillary Sigei and Adan Keynan.
