Kenya Kwanza names team to engage Azimio in bi-partisan talks
Kenya Kwanza has unveiled a team of seven members who will engage Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition in bi-partisan talks over the current political duel between the government and the opposition.
The seven members, drawn from both the Senate and the National Assembly include Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, Tharaka MP George Murugara, nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and Eldas MP Adan Keynan.
Announcing the team, the Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group (PG) urged the members to "strictly adhere to our constitution and established laws" in the talks.
"In re-affirming our commitment to the dictates of the constitution and rule of law, the PG directs the team nominated for this bi-partisan process to strictly adhere to our constitution and established laws in addressing the re-constitution of the IEBC panel, as was communicated by the President, on Sunday 2nd April 2023," the PG noted.
"We equally call upon our colleagues in the opposition to adhere to the rule of law and constitutionalism and pursue all issues of concern through established institutions under the constitution."
Raila on Thursday last week unveiled a seven-member team that will faceoff with Kenya Kwanza alliance nominees for bipartisan talks at parliament.
They are Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), David Pkosing (Pokot South) and Otiende Amollo (Rarieda). Others are Senators Ledama ole Kina (Narok), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Enoch Wambua (Kitui) and Amina Laura Mnyanzi (Malindi).
Kenya Kwanza accusations on Azimio
The legislators accused Azimio of trying to blackmail the government to implement policies of President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime, which they termed as failed.
"We resist any attempts by the opposition to force or blackmail government to implement the failed policies of the last regime that drove the country into an economic mess, including corruption-ridden consumption subsidies, irresponsible borrowing and gross fiscal mismanagement, through state capture. We particularly support the government’s policy of subsidizing production rather than consumption and prudent fiscal management within a framework of managed debt levels," the statement added.
Addressing journalists last week, Raila said the Opposition wanted a proper constitutional review to cure the governance defects in the 2010 Constitution.
“We want to remove the last vestiges of an imperial presidency,” Raila stated.
Raila also wants the government to consider restructuring IEBC by dissolving structures to the counties, and whether the counties really need commissioners working on a permanent basis
Failure to meet their demands, Raila said the team would not hesitate to mobilise Kenyans to demand their rights within the framework of Article 37 of the Constitution. “The monopoly of power, by hook or crook, by the party in the State House can only be rectified with a thoughtful deliberative process involving all Kenyans,” Raila added.
