Azimio leaders in Mombasa have accused Kenya Kwanza leaders of frustrating efforts at peace in the country.
The leaders, including MPs Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe) and Zamzam Mohamed (Mombasa county), on Saturday said the Kenya Kwanza team has no intention of dialoguing with the Azimio team.
The leaders said the Kenya Kwanza team should respect Azimio leader Raila Odinga, saying he is an institution and was in politics long before they were born.
“Baba Raila Amolo Odinga fought for this nation. Only he knows how Kenya ought to go... Then these clueless people come and insult Raila. What we need is for Kenya to move forward,” Woman Representative Mohamed said.
We, the Raila foot soldiers, are watching. If you do not want talks, we will go back to the streets. We have been restrained out of respect for our leader
They spoke at the Bomu Stadium where Mohamed issued National Government Affirmative Action Fund cheques worth Sh16 million to women's groups in Mombasa county, starting with 28 in Changamwe constituency.
Mohamed accused Majority leader in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro of disrespecting Raila but warned them they will soon meet their match.
“We, the Raila foot soldiers, are watching. If you do not want talks, we will go back to the streets. We have been restrained out of respect for our leader,” Mohamed said.
This came as both Raila and President William Ruto breathed fire on Saturday, each digging in their heels.
While Raila gave Ruto a 30-day ultimatum to enter into another round of talks after the first round failed, Ruto was categorical the talks will not involve any power-sharing deal. He said he will crush any attempt st demonstrations.
Speaking in Siaya, Raila said if the talks fail to bear fruit, his team will take on another course of action.
He, however, insisted Azimio is ready and willing to have talks.
In Mt Kenya region, Ruto said only be issues touching on the people of Kenya will be on the agenda and that the country will be ruled by law. He said the government will not tolerate the destruction of property, disruption of businesses and loss of life.
Azimio's delegation for the talks will be led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka with Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi as the other members.
Azimio raised issues including the cost of living, audit of the 2022 elections, bipartisan reconstitution of the IEBC, inclusivity in national affairs and respect for political parties in line with the Constitution.
The Kenya Kwanza delegation will be led by Ichung'wah, Aaron Cheruiyot (Senate Majority leader), Embu Governor Cecile Mbarire, Hassan Omar (EALA MP) and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilinga.
At the Bomu Stadium in Mombasa, MP Mwinyi said Ichung’wah and Nyoro have been "yapping", yet they are toddlers in politics.
“When people fought for independence, you were not even born. Stop yapping and understand the needs of Kenyans who are tired of the high cost of living,” the MP said.
He said Azimio is not after a handshake deal or any nusu mkate arrangement but is working towards helping lower the cost of living and ensuring democracy prevails.
In Mt Kenya, Ichung'wah said the Kenya Kwanza team in the bipartisan talks will not entertain talks about a handshake and power sharing in government.
"We know inclusivity is a form of Handshake, and we will not have such an item in the talks.
The Majority leader said election issues were conclusively addressed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Supreme Court of Kenya in line with the law.
"The audit of the election that they are asking for was done by the Supreme Court," he added.
Likoni MP Mboko said their irreducible minimum is the high cost of living, which Kenyans went to the streets to protest against.
“We have agreed to talks but the other team is dilly dallying and trying to put obstacles in the way. They should not dictate what we should put in the agenda,” Mboko said.