The Azimio One Kenya Coalition negotiating team has dropped new bombshell demanding exclusion Eldas Member of Parliament (MP) Aden Keynan from the Kenya Kwanza team.
Keynan was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket which is one of the affiliate parties of the Azimio coalition.
Instead, the Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo led seven-member team expanded their membership to include Jeremiah Kioni, JP Secretary General and demanded inclusion of Raila Odinga’s lawyer Paul Mwangi as the joint secretary to the team
Effectively, this sets ground for extra-parliamentary engaged fomenting grounds for renewed political differences even after president William Ruto and his brigade have remained categorical that no talks will be entertained beyond parliamentary engagement.
Keynan was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket and his appointment to represent President Ruto- led Kenya Kwanza has been received with much criticism.
Speaking during a media briefing Nairobi earlier today, Amolo said they have already prepared a draft framework of engagement to guide the negotiation process even as he decried “the delay exhibited by our Kenya Kwanza counterparts”.
Amolo said the team “don’t know whom to engage since the Kenya Kwanza side has not even selected a co-chair.” He said.
They also lawyer Paul Mwangi as a joint Secretary and Prof Makau Mutua and Jeremiah Kioni as assisting counsels ahead of the talks.
Other members of the Opposition team include Nairobi Senator and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.
Others are MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David P’Kosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
On the Kenya Kwanza side, the team comprise of Boni Khalwale (Senator, Kakamega), George Murugara (MP, Tharaka), Essy Okenyuri (Senator) and Mwengi Mutuse (MP, Kibwezi West).
Lydia Haika (Women Rep. Taita Taveta), Hillary Sigei (Senator, Bomet) and Adan Keynan (MP, Eldas) are also members of the team
The two teams will hold talks on the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission selection panel.
