Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday chaired the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting ahead of bipartisan talks with the Kenya Kwanza government.
In a statement, Raila affirmed the coalition’s commitment to dialogue to resolve the current stand-off on the rising cost of living and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) among other issues.
“We had a fruitful discussion with our coalition’s Parliamentary Group, confirming our commitment to engage Kenya Kwanza in talks while keeping true to our ideals and objectives,” Raila said.
Present were party leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), George Wajackoyah (Roots Party), Mwangi Wairia (Usawa Kwa Wote Party) and Eugine Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party.
The meeting comes a day after the Azimio leadership unveiled a five-member team to represent the coalition in the talks that collapsed last month.
The delegation will be led by Kalonzo who also doubles up as a co-principal in the opposition coalition.
Other members of the team are Wamalwa, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi and Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni.
We had a fruitful discussion with our coalition's Parliamentary Group, confirming our commitment to engage Kenya Kwanza in talks while keeping true to our ideals and objectives. pic.twitter.com/COToVPSUF0
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) August 1, 2023
The Kenya Kwanza is also expected to announce its team soon before the talks kick off.
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 committee will include four members from outside Parliament, two from each side, leaders of the Majority and Minority from the National Assembly and four additional Members of Parliament – two from each side.
The talks will be facilitated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is said to have chaired the meeting between Ruto and Raila in Mombasa.
“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…” Azimio said in a statement, further suspending planned demonstrations.
“…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.”
