Good morning,
Shortly after the Azimio Coalition failed to include a member from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region in the proposed dialogue with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza, Martha Karua held a meeting with top Mount Kenya leaders as the coalition gears up for fresh bipartisan talks with the Kenya Kwanza government.
In attendance were Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
In a tweet, Karua, Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition co-principal said the closed-door talks with the influential Mt Kenya leaders were consultative in nature.
It’s not clear what the agenda of the meeting was but the leaders have been on the frontline in the stand-off with President William Ruto’s administration over the rising cost of living, reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and alleged electoral fraud in last year’s presidential election.
What do you think the Azimio la Umoja coalition Mt Kenya Caucus could be planning ahead of the anticipated bipartisan talks?
Meanwhile, here are news stories making headlines on Opera News today;
Analyst Explains How Inviting Obasanjo To Lead Dialogue Will Affect Kenya Negatively
Kenyans have continued giving their opinions regarding the planned talks between the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party and the Kenya Kwanza side.
The talks are expected to be led by former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo who will act as the mediator. Some are however against the invitation of Obasanjo to lead the talks.
One of those opposed to the move is Political analyst Dismas Mokua who feels that inviting the former Nigerian president will affect Kenya Negatively.
While Speaking in an interview with a local media house, Mokua noted that there is no international crisis or leadership vacuum in the country that needs mediation.
Raila, Kalonzo Cautioned Ahead Of Talks With Ruto’s KK After Costly Blunder
Azimio la Umoja coalition did agree to initiate talks with Kenya Kwanza with the formation of 10 Members Team to resolve matters currently affecting the Country through a bipartisan approach.
As a result, Azimio named Kalonzo Musyoka as the team leader. Others include Eugene Wamalwa, Amina Munyazi, Senator Okong’o Omogeni and minority leader Opiyo Wandayi.
President William Ruto led Kenya Kwanza picked Majority leader Kimani Ichungwah, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, and Cecily Mbarire among others.
Following that, appearing for an interview, Prof Herman Manyora now claims Azimio should have added Sifuna to the list of leaders to make a 10-member team, five Azimio and 5 Kenya Kwanza.
To him without Edwin Sifuna in the team, the Kenya Kwanza team will boss Kalonzo and the team, hence urging changes if possible.
Make or break talks: Why Ruto and Raila camps are not for power-sharing
President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga have unveiled their teams for the talks to address the country’s stalemate arising from months of protests over the cost of living and 2022 elections, even as both camps maintained hardline stances ahead of the negotiations.
President Ruto on August 2, 2023, remained guarded on the talks, declining to field questions on the same during his State House address in Nairobi where he delved into matters related to reducing the high cost of living, an issue the opposition maintains must be top in the discussions agenda.
“Let’s not go there,” he responded to a question regarding the talks.
The President’s briefing came barely minutes after his Kenya Kwanza side unveiled its team of five negotiators that will be led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah. It includes Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Bungoma Woman Rep Catherine Wambilianga and East Africa Legislative Assembly member Hassan Omar.