Kenya: Ruto, Odinga Agree on Fresh 10-Man Team to Resolve Political Standoff

PCS/Capital FM
President William Ruto with Azimio leader Raila Odinga at Nairobi's Nyayo Stadium (file photo).
29 July 2023
Capital FM (Nairobi)
By Laban Wanambisi

Nairobi — The ruling party Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the Azimio La Umoja Coalition have resolved to set up a 10-member committee to find a lasting solution to political address issues facing the country.

In a joint statement, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah and Minority Leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi said that the two sides had agreed to have the involvement representatives inside and outside Parliament.

The committee will include four members from outside Parliament, two from each side, leaders of the Majority and Minority from the National Assembly, and four additional Members of Parliament -two from each side.

"The committee shall be seized with 5 issues; reconstitution of IEBC, implementation of 2/3 gender rule, the entrenchment of Constituency Development Fund, Establishment and the entrenchment of Office of the Leader of the Opposition and embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary," the joint statement states.

Azimio had earlier issued a statement saying the deal was brokered by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo but the joint statement with Azimio did not mention a mediator.

"Further, the parties agreed that Finance Bill is sub judice and should be decided in court," the joint statement said of the controversial bill which came into effect Friday after the Court of Appeal set aside a conservatory order by the High Court in a petition filed by Senator Okiya Omtatah and other activists.

Azimio is protesting the implementation of the Finance Act 2023, which they argue will make life unbearable for a majority of Kenyans.

The opposition coalition has been mobilising street protests against the bill but President Ruto has told them off saying they are out to derail his government agenda.

At least 20 people were killed, many of them shot by police during the street protests but Azimo places the figure at 50.

Azimio says it is also pushing for a bipartisan reconstitution of the electoral commission, an audit of the 2022 elections, and an end to the invasion and compromising of parties and MPs.

The opposition has accused the government of being the proprietor of violence during protests by provoking demonstrators but President Ruto wants its leaders to apologize to Kenyans for calling mobilising violent protests.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

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