Ichung’wah, Cheruiyot to lead Kenya Kwanza team in talks with Azimio

Kenya Kwanza Alliance has unveiled a team of five members to represent the government in fresh bipartisan talks with the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition.

The delegation will be led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot.

Other members of the team are Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Hassan Omar and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga.

In a statement, the Kenya Kwanza side said the team is under instructions to engage the opposition on a five-point agenda previously agreed upon.

The issues are the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), implementation of 2/3 gender rule, entrenchment of Constituency Development Fund (CDF), establishment and the entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary.

The Azimio leadership had earlier dismissed Ichung’wah’s agenda items as “Kenya Kwanza’s wish list”.

While disowning a statement issued by Ichung’wah on Saturday, the coalition insisted that the cost of living, which was not listed among the items of discussion, was Azimio’s priority in the bipartisan talks.

“Kenya Kwanza released a one-sided statement signed by Hon. Kimani Ichungwa that they claimed to incorporate our views. We disown the statement by Hon. Ichungwa. Azimio had nothing to do with it. Its contents were those of Kenya Kwanza, their wish list,” Former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya told the press on Sunday.

“Our priority for discussion is the escalating cost of living which has only got worse with the lifting of the conservatory order on 2023 Finance Act last week. We want to see actions by the regime that will lead to the immediate lowering of cost of living. It is our position that this issue does not require any discussion but policy/action by Kenya Kwanza. But since they won’t do it, lowering the cost of living has to be part of the talks.”

Meanwhile, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance maintained on Wednesday that there shall be no discussion on formation of a coalition government or handshake between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

“For the avoidance of doubt, as agreed, violence shall no longer and shall never be part of our nation’s political discourse… there shall be no discussion of whatever nature on matters handshake or anusu mkate,” the statement reads.

Azimio’s team will be led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who also doubles up as co-principal in the opposition coalition.

Other members of the team are National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Democratic Action Party leader Eugine Wamalwa, Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi and Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni.

The two sides agreed to form a 10-member committee to steer the talks following a private meeting between Raila and President William Ruto last week.

The talks will be facilitated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.