Mudavadi cautions gov’t to be “careful” during talks with opposition

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga have called for honourable bipartisan discussion in the National Assembly that will not lead to the destruction of the Kenya Kwanza government.

Speaking in Mathira constituency during the burial of the Nyeri county Amani National Congress (ANC) party chairman Philip Githua, the duo said that the discussions should be honest and should be directed to restoring sanity in the nation.

"Our mission is to unify and bring stability and peace to the country. The president even in victory has extended a hand of magnanimity. He was very courteous in his statement and went to the level of addressing the leader of the opposition as 'my brother Raila' very significant. However the other side was calling him Mr Ruto, yet he is the president. This explains that the president is committed to bringing sanity to the country," Mudavadi said.

Musalia termed Ruto's initiative as an act of statesmanship which should not be destroyed by the selfish interests of some individuals.

He, however, cautioned, that there might be cards that are hidden under the table by the opposition.

"If we want to move forward, let's do it genuinely, that is what will bring peace. If we put other cards under the table, we are going to destroy everything. This initiative should be taken seriously and let people discuss realistically so that we find solutions and move forward," Mudavadi said.

On his part, Kahiga said that although he supports the call for bipartisan talks, the opposition should not use it as a ticket to join the government using the backdoor.

"Though we support the move, let no one think that he has a ticket to join the government which we fought for so hard through the backdoor. The engagement should only be done in the confines of the assembly," the county boss said.

Kahiga stated there is a need to draw a line saying if Raila comes with his baggage he will displace the right leaders.