Senator Cheruiyot slams Kalonzo over talks letter to Ichung’wah
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has criticized Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka over his recent letter inviting Kenya Kwanza Alliance for bipartisan talks next Monday.
Kalonzo, who leads Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition's 5-member delegation, wrote to National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah on Thursday, inviting the Kenya Kwanza team for talks at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Monday, August 7 at 11 am.
But Cheruiyot, who is part of the Kenya Kwanza dialogue delegation, faulted Kalonzo's move, saying the former Vice President should have phoned Ichung'wah to agree on preliminary issues including the time and venue of the first meeting.
"I know for a fact that Hon Kalonzo has ML Ichungwa's number. What is it with long letters again?
How difficult is it to then call up and agree on preliminary issues such as time and venue of the first meeting? Let's be serious kidogo," the Kericho senator said in a tweet.
I know for a fact that Hon Kalonzo has ML Ichungwa's number.
What is it with long letters again ?
How difficult is it to then call up and agree on preliminary issues such as time and venue of the first meeting ?
Let's be serious kidogo.— Aaron Cheruiyot (@Aaroncheruiyot) August 3, 2023
Separately, Ichung'wah, who is the team leader of the Kenya Kwanza team, also seemed to disagree with Kalonzo on the choice of date, time and location for the meeting.
"As agreed, we will consult over a cup of tea to find a mutually agreeable date, time and venue," Ichung'wah reacted to Kalonzo's tweet.
Received @skmusyoka.
As Agreed, we will consult over a cup of tea to find a mutually agreeable date, time and Venue. https://t.co/Qqs4CtSyML— Kimani Ichung’wah (@KIMANIICHUNGWAH) August 3, 2023
Kalonzo had cited "anxiety of the people" and "urgency of issues to be addressed" for the decision to call for the meeting.
"We have taken this step because we believe time is of the essence. While a lot of hard work will be needed to resolve the issues at hand, we believe a speedy start and a time-bound program is necessary to put the nation at ease," Kalonzo said in the letter addressed to National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, who doubles up as the team leader for the Kenya Kwanza delegation.
The Azimio co-principal said it's Azimio's wish that the dialogue process should come to an end at the close of August.
"As a party, we believe that if all concerned show the courage and commitment, there is now a real chance that before the 1st of September, Kenya will be reunited," he added.
He affirmed Azimio's commitment to dialogue in good faith to settle the current stand-off on the cost of living and other leadership issues fronted by the opposition.
"We remain committed to negotiating in good faith on the basis of a plan to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the country's problems through dialogue. Additionally, we attach utmost significance to the issues at hand. The formation of our delegation to the talks was therefore informed by the weight we attach to the issues," he stated.
The two sides agreed to form a 10-member committee to steer the talks last week following a private meeting between Azimio leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
The talks will be facilitated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
