Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party has appointed Prof Makau Mutua and Jeremiah Kioni as assisting counsels for their team in the bipartisan talks with the Kenya Kwanza team.

In an announcement made by Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo, the team also appointed lawyer Paul Mwangi as a joint secretary.

Amolo said that the team would prioritise talks on the cost of living, forensic audit of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers and bipartisan reconstitution of IEBC.

“We reiterate the commitment by the coalition and this team to an honest, open and genuine dialogue that will result in meaningful change in the lives of the people of Kenya. We will give every effort to find answers to the four main issues as framed by the Coalition namely; a reduction in Cost of Unga, Electricity and fuel, forensic audit of the IEBC servers, bipartisan reconstitution of the IEBC and respect for democracy and party discipline,” Amolo said.

Azimio faults Kenya Kwanza

The Azimio team has also decried frustrations by the Kenya Kwanza team in initiating the talks.

“We reiterate our readiness and commitment to the process but decry the delay exhibited by our Kenya Kwanza counterparts. We note the delay in naming the 7-member team and that upto now they have not named their chair leaving us at a loss as to whom to engage,” added Amolo.

“As a further demonstration of our commitment, we have prepared a draft framework of engagement to guide the process.”

They have also called for the replacement of Eldas MP Adan Keynan who was appointed in the Kenya Kwanza team despite being a member of the Jubilee Party, which is part of Azimio.

“We note that our counterparts have named Hon. Adan Keynan as part of their team. Hon Keynan is a member of Azimio. The issue of Party discipline is one of the four cardinal issues on the table and his inclusion is in bad faith and intended to delay the process. We, therefore, request that he be replaced,” added Amolo.