Wednesday, May 10, 2023 –Government side has hastened return to bipartisan talks table following Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s 48-hour ultimatum issued last Monday.
In their latest statement made on Wednesday May 10 afternoon, the William Ruto’s camp agreed that the talks will resume with a plan to complete within the next 30 days.
Should there be hiccups along the way, government assured that a little more time will be agreed upon through consultations to be done in good faith.
Speaking at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, the committee comprising seven each, stated that it was ready to listen to each other for the sake of the country.
“As Azimio, we had given a timeframe of 30 days and Kenya Kwanza 90 days. We have however agreed to constrain that time to a maximum of 60 days, with the more urgent issues to be dealt with within the first 30 days,” Bipartisan Committee Co-chairman Otiende Amollo stated.
This 30-day ultimatum had earlier been protested by the government side which turned it too short to complete discussing the number of issues raised by the opposition.
Ruto’s side has since promised to lead from the front since the country’s interests come first followed by other interests.
“Kenya Kwanza committed to putting the interests of Kenyans, not leaders at the forefront. We stand to lose more as women leaders and even on behalf of the ordinary women we represent when we scuttle the Bipartisan Talks,” Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, representing Kenya Kwanza in the talks, observed.
This agreement to resume talks, was triggered by a stern warning which was delivered by the Azimio leader on Monday May 8.
Mr. Odinga said, when the 48-hour period elapses, any other agreement made earlier will be rendered ‘null and void’ and he will be left with one option of returning his charges to the streets.
Among other matters in Odinga’s demand list is opening of the IEBC servers, electoral justice and looking at the cost of living.
