The political landscape in Kenya takes a turn as Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, led by the opposition figure Raila Odinga, suspends its ongoing negotiations with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, spearheaded by President William Ruto.
In a statement by the party’s secretary-general, Edwin Sifuna, who also serves as Nairobi’s senator, Azimio blames the suspension on the lack of commitment shown by the Kenya Kwanza Alliance towards the talks. The opposition coalition has brought to light four key concerns, including alleged governmental interference in the Jubilee Party affairs.
“We have suspended the Bipartisan dialogue after we could not persuade our friends from KK to concede to some common sense interim measures. These include lowering the cost of Unga, preserving the election servers, halting the IEBC reconstitution, and letting the Jubilee Party be. In our view, these are essential to ensure the talks’ outcome. We hope sense will prevail,” said the ODM secretary-general.
The Azimio coalition has also expressed concerns over Kenya Kwanza Alliance’s support for the Jubilee Party faction led by the nominated MP, Sabina Chege. The opposition leaders warned during the Jubilee Party Nation Delegates Conference (NDC) that they would withdraw from the bi-partisan talks if the government offered any backing to Chege for holding a parallel NDC.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called for the resignation of all expelled Jubilee Party elected leaders. He further urged the government to respect the decision passed by the Jubilee NDC, chaired by former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
“If Kenya Kwanza Alliance allows those who have removed themselves from the party to conduct their own delegates convention, then they should know there will be no bi-partisan talks. We will leave them and know they don’t believe in plural democracy,” Kalonzo added.
This development signals a shift in the political dialogue between the two Kenyan political coalitions and may significantly impact the country’s political dynamics.