Raila has powers to end political tension - Ichung'wah

Says Raila's supporters heed his calls so he has power to end tensions.

In Summary
  • He re-affirmed that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance was ready to engage in talks regarding the reconstitution of IEBC.
  • The Kikuyu MP however warned against the appointment of commissioners by political parties or politicians, pointing out that it would be a recipe for chaos.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriot and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah on Thursday, April 6,2023.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriot and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah on Thursday, April 6,2023.
Image: HANDOUT

National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah has said Azimio chief Raila Odinga holds the key to diffusing the political tension in the country.

He said Raila's supporters heed his calls, adding that in the case of demonstrations, the ODM leader should instruct them to be peaceful.

He spoke during a meeting with the British High Commissioner Jane Marriot on Thursday. 

"If Raila told his supporters to hold peaceful demos, if he said that nobody will loot or destroy property, they will not, so he has the power to end the tensions," Ichung'wah said. 

He reaffirmed that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance was ready to engage in talks regarding the reconstitution of IEBC.

The Kikuyu MP however warned against the appointment of commissioners by political parties or politicians, pointing out that it would be a recipe for chaos.

"I hope our friends will see the reason to have an election panel that will pick commissioners. Commissioners picked by political parties or politicians will always have their allegiance to whoever picked them," he said. 

He proposed an election panel that would be responsible for selecting commissioners, with experts playing an advisory role.

"We could craft something where everyone is involved; the media, the church, the civil society, and all interested parties to these matters. The public participation forum in Parliament gives that opportunity and then we can have experts involved but in an advisory role," he added. 

National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah in a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriot and another official on Thursday, April 6,2023.
National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah in a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriot and another official on Thursday, April 6,2023.
Image: HANDOUT

Ichung'wah however insisted that the talks must take place within the bounds of the Parliament.

He accused Raila of shifting position by calling for the expansion of the talks to resemble those led by Koffi Annan in 2008.

He claimed that Raila's change of heart was influenced by the hardliners surrounding him.

On Sunday, while welcoming the offer by President William Ruto to hold bipartisan talks, Raila indicated that he was agreeable to including experts from outside Parliament.

Later on, the former Prime Minister however intimated that the talks should fashion to resemble the 2008 National Accord.

Marriot expressed optimism regarding the potential for bipartisan talks to defuse the political tensions in Kenya.

She called on both sides to be genuine in their efforts to ensure the country's stability is maintained.

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