Kenya Kwanza has announced a 5-member team to engage in dialogue with the Azimio la Umoja coalition, with the aim of resolving the ongoing political impasse between the government and the opposition.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah, who also serves as the National Assembly Majority leader, disclosed the names of the team members in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 2.
Kenya Kwanza's Selected Representatives:
- Kimani Ichung'wah
- Aaron Cheruiyot - Leader of Majority in the Senate
- Cecily Mbarire - Embu Governor
- Hassan Omar - Former Mombasa Senator
- Catherine Wambilianga - Bungoma Woman Representative
Kenya Kwanza's Demands: Ichung'wah criticized the Azimio team for allegedly disregarding a request from Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo not to be mentioned in any public statement. He expressed concern over the opposition's lack of decency, a statement that may potentially escalate tensions between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja.
Additionally, the Majority leader emphasized that the Raila Odinga-led faction must abide by the five issues previously agreed upon during the meeting. These include the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), implementation of the 2/3 gender rule, and the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The other two issues on the agenda are the establishment and entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and the inclusion of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary.
"For avoidance of doubt, brutality shall no longer and shall never be part of our nation's political discourse. As agreed, there shall be no discussion of whatever nature on matters handshake or 'nusu mkate'," read a part of the statement.
Azimio's Representatives: The Kenya Kwanza team is expected to engage in dialogue with the Azimio team, which comprises the following members:
- Kalonzo Musyoka - Wiper Leader
- Opiyo Wandayi - National Assembly Minority Leader
- Eugene Wamalwa - Democratic Action Party Leader
- Okong'o Omogeni - Nyamira Senator
- Amina Mnyanzi - Malindi MP
Issues for Discussion: The two camps were divided over the discussion of the cost of living. Raila Odinga maintained that the cost of living must be among the issues discussed during the talks. However, President William Ruto argued that it was unnecessary since it was already addressed in his manifesto.
"We are already implementing the manifesto that is moving towards lowering the cost of living. Fertilizer will soon cost Ksh2,500. We have a whole program that will be catered towards that," Ruto stated on July 30, 2023.