Kenya Kwanza announces resumption of bipartisan talks
Kenya Kwanza Bipartisan Commitee members led by Co-chairperson George Murugara addressing the media at Parliament Buildings.They have written to the Azimio side for resumption of talks from July 4.
A fresh showdown looms after Kenya Kwanza’s team in the bipartisan talks with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya gave a new ultimatum for the resumption of the process.
The team, led by co-chairperson George Murugara on Tuesday said the talks, which were suspended a month ago, will resume on Tuesday next week and will focus on the recruitment of Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners.
Suspended indefinitely
“We were unable to hold our meetings because of the budget-making process and the tabling of the Finance Bill. The talks were suspended indefinitely by our colleagues from the Azimio side but we have already written an official letter to our Azimio counterparts for the resumption of our talks,” Mr Murugara said.
He said if their Azimio counterparts fail to show up for the meeting, the government will proceed with the recruitment of the commissioners through the IEBC selection panel whose mandate was put in hold to give space for the ongoing talks.
“The composition of the commissioners is an issue of priority because we have a crisis in the commission. There are by-elections that are coming up and the commission cannot carry out this exercise,” he added.
The announcement by the Kenya Kwanza group comes a month after the Azimio side of the 14-member committee suspended the talks indefinitely after they accused Mr Murugara of failing to sign two letters addressed to the chairperson of the selection panel, Mr Nelson Makanda, and another one addressed to IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein.
The Kenya Kwanza side, when asked if their decision was a reaction to the looming return of Azimio demonstrations, said they have not been engaging in talks due to the tabling of the Finance Bill and budget-making process.
“It has nothing do with the Azimio demonstrations. We have all just concluded the Finance Bill and budget-making process. We were all held up in the process and we could not meet. They decided to go back to their Kamkunji rally while we have also decided to go back to the talks. These matters are now behind us. We have an urgent issue on recruitment of IEBC commissioners and it is important,” Mr Murugara said.
Terms ended
IEBC is currently composed of only the secretariat after former chairman Wafula Chebukati’s and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye’s terms ended on January 17.
Former vice-chairperson Juliana Cherera and commissioners Justus Nyang'aya and Francis Wanderi resigned after President William Ruto formed a tribunal to investigate their conduct during the August 2022 polls. Ms Irene Masit was removed on the recommendation of the tribunal.
