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Kenya Kwanza not approaching talks with clean hands - Etale

Etale said that Kenya Kwanza has belittled the talks by making it seem Azimio is raising non-issues

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by JAMES MBAKA

News02 August 2023 - 15:08
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In Summary


  • Etale said that Azimio's priority in the talks is to make the cost of living bearable.
  • He said that the talks should focus on issues that affect Kenyans rather than satisfy individual agenda.
ODM spokesperson Philip Etale.

ODM director of communication Philip Etale has said that the Kenya Kwanza coalition is not sincere with its approach to the fresh bipartisan talks.

In a statement on Wednesday, Etale accused the ruling coalition of belittling the talks by making it seem Azimio is raising non-issues.

"Kenya Kwanza is not approaching talks with clean hands. They have already begun grandstanding even before the talks begin. They condemned maandamano, brutalized it, and now want to belittle the talks by making it seem that the struggle was simply for the non-issues listed," he said.

Etale said that Azimio's priority in the talks is to make the cost of living bearable.

He said that the talks should focus on issues that affect Kenyans rather than satisfy individual agenda.

"There are some issues KK is trying to raise and force down the throats of Kenyans that do not make sense. We should handle issues that affect the commoner and not self-satisfying agenda."

Both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza unveiled five members for the proposed talks.

Azimio's delegation 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 of political parties in line with the Constitution.

The Kenya Kwanza delegation will be led by National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah,  Aaron Cheruiyot (Senate Majority Leader), Embu Governor Cecile Mbarire, Hassan Omar ( EALA MP)  and Bungoma Woman rep  Catherine Wambilinga.

Kenya Kwanza in a statement on Wednesday emphasized that the team will engage with the  Azimio counterparts on five issues.

They include reconstitution of IEBC; implementation of two-thirds gender rule, entrenchment of constituency development fund, establishment and entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and embedment of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

The team also insisted that there will be no discussion on a handshake with the opposition.

The Kenya Kwanza side will also unveil their team of five members for the ten-member committee.

"Our position remains that no party to these negotiations can claim a right to determine for the others what to raise and what not to raise," Azimio said in a statement on Monday.

The talks will be facilitated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

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