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The Azimio la Umoja team to the bipartisan talks yesterday clashed with their Kenya Kwanza counterparts over a demand that the cost of living be included in the talks.

The demand was among a raft of 16 matters the opposition coalition wants included in the bipartisan talks.

Sources at the meeting held at the Bomas of Kenya and co-chaired by Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wa and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the government side vehemently opposed the inclusion of the cost of living in the talks, saying President Ruto’s administration was seized of the matter.

Sources told People Daily that although Azimio is adamant the cost of living must be an issue of the negotiations, the Kenya Kwanza side insisted that the issue be struck off saying it is a policy issue the government will address.

“In accordance with the Framework Agreement under section 35(b) that allows for the identification and processing of interim measures Azimio Coalition formally tables’ issues for consideration as matters that require urgent interim measures,” read part of the report tabled by Kalonzo’s team.

The report seen by People Daily, listed the lowering of the cost of living, commitment to observing the Constitution of Kenya and restoring civil liberties in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya as issues that require interim address.

“We are concerned by utterances and actions mainly from political actors that are threatening, demeaning and designed to undermine the National Dialogue Process and return Kenya into a situation of conflict. We want a stop of harassment of leaders of the coalition, persons and regions perceived to support Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party and to restore the rights and privileges enjoyed by Coalition leaders by law including provision of security,” reads part of the table issues.

Of immediate concern to Azimio is the suspension of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Selection process and a preservation of the IEBC 2022 Presidential records and returns including the election servers.