Joint bipartisan dialogue suspended, Otiende Amollo says

Bipartisan committee led by Otiende Amollo and Gitonga Murugara during a joint presser at Bomas of Kenya on May 10, 2023. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

The joint bipartisan dialogue stands suspended as of Tuesday evening.

This follows a letter referenced as 'urgent' by the co-chairperson of the committee and Rarieda Member of Parliament (MP) Otiende Amollo.

The suspension of the joint bi-partisan dialogue follows an ultimatum issued by the Azimio la Umoja coalition yesterday to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, asking that they meet their demands by midnight of Tuesday, May 30.

"Kindly also find enclosed resolutions of the Azimio parliamentary group meeting held on May 30, 2023. As you will notice, the aforesaid resolutions further concessions on certain important and urgent matters before midnight of May 30, 2023, and we urge you to consider the same.

The letter was addressed to co-chairperson and Tharaka MP George Murugara.

"Kindly refer to the above matter and your letter of May 28, 2023. Find herein enclosed two letters to the Chief Executive Officer of the IEBC, and the Chairperson of the IEBC selection panel respectively for your signature," said Amollo.

In the circumstances, we withhold issuance of Notice of Dissolution under clause 38 of the framework agreement as you respond to the foregoing." said Amollo.

On Tuesday, Azimio gave Kenya Kwanza until midnight to comply with all its demands and withdraw the punitive Finance Bill, 2023.

The Raila Odinga-led coalition made the resolution after holding a PG meeting in Nairobi.

The Azimio allied MPs resolved to start a public participation exercise opposing the punitive Finance Bill, 2023.