President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga after Mr. Ruto hosted them for lunch at his Karen residence on November 4, 2018. [Image: DPPS]
News in Kenya

Azimio, Kenya Kwanza Agree On Dialogue, Former Nigerian President Obasanjo To Facilitate Talks

July 29, 2023
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Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party and the Kenya Kwanza leadership have reached a consensus to allow dialogue following anti-government protests.

In separate statements by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa on Saturday, said the two disputing parties had agreed to involve former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to mediate talks between the Raila Odinga-led outfit and President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza to find amicable solutions to peace.

Of note is that the statement signed by Kimani Ichung’wa makes no mention of of former Nigerian President and was supposedly a joint statement but Opiyo Wandayi purpotedly issued a separate statement which makes reference to Obasanjo being mediator. The statement published on @AzimioTv does not indicate who signed with only a signature inscribed at the bottom.

He said the factions had chosen to have Obasanjo as the facilitator of the process while each side picks five members.

“We, the leadership of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, having consulted with the leadership of Kenya Kwanza under the facilitation of Olusegun Obasanjo on the state of our nation, desirous of a democratic and peaceful resolution of issues that beset our nation…” read the statement.

“…expressing our condemnation and regret on the violence that has visited our nation with loss of life, serious injuries and the destruction of property, affirming our commitment to adherence to the constitution and the rule of law, determined to resolve our differences amicably for the benefit of all our people, we have therefore agreed with Kenya Kwanza to establish a committee of ten (10), composed of five members each from Azimio La Umoja and Kenya Kwanza.”

Wandayi said that out of the 10 members of the committee, four would be from outside Parliament where each party selects only two.

Further, the remaining six members would include the two leaders of Majority and Minority in the National Assembly, while the four would be MPs from both sides; two sides each.

The statement comes amidst calls by the Kenya Kwanza affiliate members who have been cautioning

President Ruto against allowing talks with the Opposition leader.

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