Azimio and Kenya Kwanza Clash After Announcing Deal

The statement released by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition and the joint statement signed by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah has obvious inconsistencies that sparked reactions from different politicians.

The inconsistencies are seen in the agreement between the government and the opposition.

To begin with, the joint statement was only signed by Ichung’wah while Azimio’s Opiyo Wandayi did not sign it.

This raises questions whether Azimio agreed to the issues stipulated in the statement.

The joint statement highlighted five issues to be discussed.

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The Five Issues to Form Basis of Discussion

1. Reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)
2. Implementation of the 2/3 gender rule
3. Entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
4. Establishment and the entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
5. Embedment of the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary

However, the five issues in the joint statement were missing in Azimio’s solo statement signed by National Assembly’s Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi.

The statement by Azimio did not have issues to form the basis of discussion but only contained the resolution to establish a committee.

“We have therefore agreed with Kenya Kwanza to establish a committee of ten (10) composed of five members each from the Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza.” Reads part of the statement by Azimio.

Azimio Leaders Rebuke Joint Statement

Nonetheless, when Ichung’wah released the joint statement, leaders, and allies from Azimio outfit rebutted the statement insisting that the cost of living has to be among the key issues to be discussed.

Opiyo Wandayi said, “Reduction of the cost of living remains our priority. Anything else is secondary.”

Babu Owino said. “Total nonsense. Where’s the cost of living among the Terms of Reference? We better talk in the streets.”

Likewise, while reacting to the statement posted by Kimani Ichungwah on twitter, ODM Communications Director Philip Etale stated that, “Chief you are dreaming. You won’t force nonsense down the throats of Kenyans.”

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Similarly, Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai opined that, “If cost of living isn’t part of the negotiations, Babu Owino and I will demand that we have a parallel initiative away from this ‘kalongolono’.”

“Our people shouldn’t have died for these jokes. We must be serious. There is no seriousness here,” Alai added.

Furthermore, the opposition through Azimio TV reaffirmed that their four-point agenda remains the same, including the cost of living, electoral audit, and reforms.

Others are non-interference in coalitions and their constituent parties and accountability and probe into police brutality.