‘My plea fell on deaf ears’ – Babu Owino faults Azimio negotiation team for excluding youths
Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has raised concerns about the seven-member team fronted by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance to negotiate with President William Ruto's team.
Owino said he urged Azimio to include youths in the team but his plea fell on deaf ears.
On Friday, April 7, Babu shared a video of him urging Azimio members to include youths in the negotiation team.
"This is what I told Azimio Leaders about my inclusion in the Bipartisan Committee which fell on deaf ears," Babu Owino captioned the video.
This is what I told Azimio Leaders about my inclusion in the Bipartisan Committee which fell on deaf ears. pic.twitter.com/NH2xYV4fVi
— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) April 7, 2023
The Embakasi East MP had earlier complained that youths were left out of the team that is to negotiate with the government yet they are the ones who were killed and maimed during Azimio demos.
"A team has been set up to Represent Azimio in the Bipartisan talks. I wish them well. However, it would have been more effective and efficient if a youth was part of the team because it’s the youth who are killed, maimed and still at the forefront of the struggle," Babu tweeted.
A team has been set up to Represent Azimio in the Bipartisan talks.I wish them well.However,it would have been more effective and efficient if a youth was part of the team because it’s the youth who are killed,maimed and still at the forefront in the struggle. pic.twitter.com/XR76tuYWtP— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) April 6, 2023
7-member team
Azimio on Thursday, April 6, 2023, unveiled a seven-member team of legislators that will engage in dialogue with the government over the myriad of issues raised by the opposition faction.
The team was announced during an Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by coalition party leader Raila Odinga in the absence of Chairman and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who however vowed to support all the resolutions made.
Raila said the meeting was in preparation to send the coalition’s members to the bipartisan Parliamentary committee, per the opposition’s agreement on April 2 to call off anti-government protests and address its issues with Ruto’s administration.
The team of senators set to spearhead the Azimio negotiations includes; Senate Minority Whip Ledama Olekina (Narok Senator), ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi Senator) and Senate deputy minority leader Enoch Wambua ( Kitui Senator).
The team of MPs in Azimio negotiation team include; Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David PKosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
