‘We know what to do and what not to’ – Aaron Cheruiyot tells Kenya Kwanza supporters over Ruto-Raila truce
Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot has downplayed the truce between President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga.
In a statement, Cheruiyot assured Kenya Kwanza supporters that the parliamentary leadership affiliated to the party would make the right decisions in the negotiations.
"I understand the apprehension and corkiness of Kenya Kwanza supporters. They know quite well what happens to an administration when it goes down that road. However, we ask you to please trust us. As your Parliamentary leadership, we know what's Haram and a no go zone for us," Aaron Cheruiyot stated.
On Sunday, Raila called off demonstrations that were scheduled for Monday, April 3, to allow engagement with the State on the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The move follows President William Ruto's proposal for consideration of a bi-partisan parliamentary engagement to address Raila's concerns regarding the recruitment of new IEBC commissioners.
Speaking to the press on Sunday evening, Raila welcomed Ruto's statement, terming it a positive development.
"We acknowledge Mr Ruto’s olive branch for a dialogue on the key issues raised by Azimio La Umoja. To us, this a positive development. In view of the foregoing, we stand down our demonstrations for Monday, April 3, 2023," Raila stated.
Raila, however, noted that the weekly protests will resume in a week if there is no meaningful dialogue with Ruto.
According to the former prime minister, the committee proposed by President Ruto must be constituted immediately and given strict deadlines for resolving the crisis facing the country.
As a condition for accepting Ruto's offer, Raila also asked the State to stop with immediate effect arrests and prosecution related to the recent demonstrations.
He accused Ruto of deliberate attempts to influence the recruitment of the new team that will replace commissioners who retired, resigned or were removed from office over gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The President, however, brushed off Azimio's claims on the Kenya Kwanza administration's legitimacy, saying the matter was settled by the Supreme Court in September last year.
"The Supreme Court of Kenya heard and determined with finality, the 2022 Presidential election dispute and ruled on the petitions that were filed by the aggrieved contestants and their supporters," Ruto reacted to Raila's claims that his victory was stolen.
Raila, who accuses the IEBC of denying him victory in the last presidential election, had expressed his reservations over the recently passed the IEBC (Amendment) Bill 2022 that altered the first schedule of the parent Act, to change the composition of the selection panel that oversees the filling of vacancies at the commission.
Aaron Cheruiyot team meets Ruto
On Monday, President Ruto met leaders of Parliament led by National Assembly Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung'wah and his Senate counterpart Cheruiyot to establish a framework for the bipartisan strategy.
"We have asked the Parliamentary leadership of both Houses to consider our proposal for a bipartisan approach to addressing the matters raised by the Opposition as a priority. We are convinced the issues shall be conclusively handled by Parliament in order to allow us focus on our economic transformation programme," Ruto stated.
