Azimio suspends bipartisan talks for 7 days over 'ill-faith' from Kenya Kwanza

Members of the Bipartisan Dialogue Committee at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday 10th May 2023. [Dennish Ochieng, Standard]

The bi-partisan talks hit a snag on Tuesday May 23, 2023 after Azimio la Umoja side suspended talks for seven days.

Raila's side which is led by the Committee's co-chair Otiende Amollo claimed that Kenya Kwanza 'is not negotiating in good faith'.

"Today we've had lengthy discussions we also had them last week on the four issues that we had requested. Our colleagues have refused to concede to any of those interim measures which have led us to the conclusion that they are not negotiating in good faith," said Otiende.

Azimio side further cried foul over the issues they wanted to be discussed in the interim.

"We could not receive that report unfortunately. But we then proceeded to discuss an issue that we left pending last week, what we call 'interim measures'. You will remember that for the Azimio side we had identified five issues as critical for these talks. And for four of those issues we identified what was necessary to have meaningful talks in terms of interim measures. That is the things that need to be done in the meantime," said Otiende.

In a tweet by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the talks were suspended after Kenya Kwanza side failed to concede to some issues.

"We have had to suspend the Bipartisan dialogue after we could not persuade our friends from KK to concede to some common sense interim measures," said Sifuna.

Sifuna was picked by the committee to be part of a six-member team to discuss the reconstitution of the Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Sifuna claimed Kenya Kwanza could not concede on four issues.

"Lowering of the cost of Unga, Preservation of the Election Servers, Suspension of IEBC reconstitution, For them to leave Jubilee alone," said Sifuna.

The talks were suspended just five days after the committee prioritized reconstitution of the IEBC.

Speaking at Bomas of Kenya, the committee co-chairs Otiende Amollo and George Murugara said they had agreed to prioritise the reconstitution of IEBC and address it in the next meeting.

Members of the sub-committee are senators Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Hillary Sigei (Bomet) and MPs Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West).

Amollo said Mr Sifuna will lead the Azimio team, while Mr Sigei will lead the Kenya Kwanza group.

Sifuna opined that the four issues are necessary.

"These are necessary in our view in order to safeguard the outcome of the talks. We hope sense shall prevail." Said Sifuna.