The Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Coalition has taken issue with the team selected by Kenya Kwanza for bi-partisan talks between the government and the opposition.
The Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group on Tuesday unveiled a seven-member team drawn from both the Senate and the National Assembly.
They include Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Tharaka MP George Murugara, nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and Eldas MP Adan Keynan.
The team will spearhead the bi-partisan talks with the seven-member team announced by Azimio la Umoja coalition leader Raila Odinga last week.
Azimio’s team includes Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Senate minority whip Ledama Ole Kina and deputy minority leader Enoch Wambua, and MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David P’Kosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
The Opposition has however accused the ruling Kenya Kwanza government of selecting members that would sabotage the peace talks.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said Kenya Kwanza coalition has kicked off the bipartisan talk on a wrong footing that is likely to end in a stalemate.
“We are totally surprised and stunned by the fact that they have appointed Hon Adan Keynan who is a member of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition,” Wandayi said.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan is a member of the Jubilee Party but ‘defected’ from Azimio and pledged to work with Ruto and his government.
Wandayi also took issue with Ruto’s appointment of Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse of Maendeleo Chap Chap, saying it was a demonstration of bad faith.
“Legally, Jubilee Party and Maendeleo Chap Chap remain bonafide members of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition,” he said.
According to Wandayi, the government was killing political parties which is among the issues to be addressed during the bipartisan talks.
“The idea of killing political parties is one of the issues that we would like to address in the bipartisan Committee,” he said.
