Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah on Monday, July 31 detailed how the truce between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was brokered.
According to the leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, Raila was the first to approach Ruto as early as the beginning of the three-day demonstrations held on from July 19.
Ichung’wah divulged that the ODM boss gave the suggestion that they wanted former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to mediate the talks even as Ruto accepted the request.
The lawmaker added that Ruto then held a meeting with Obasanjo after the Azimio team had raised their concerns.
However, the Kikuyu MP leader did not indicate whether the first inaugural meeting was one on one or through a phone call.
On the other hand, he maintained that the former Nigerian leader brokered a truce between the two leaders based on the five-point agenda which was rejected by the opposition.
The agenda included the reconstitution of IEBC, implementation of the two-third gender rule, the establishment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and the embedment of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary.
The entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was also agreed as an agenda to be discussed by the team of 10 members.
“If we were to go by Azimio’s initial statement, were they suggesting that the committee was formed on a blank cheque? The cost of living was a smokescreen to hoodwink Kenyans.
“It was only a mobilisation tool. Azimio has finally come out from the shadows demanding inclusivity in government. This is nothing else but nusu mkate (shared government),” he stated.
However, Azimio has accused Ichung’wah of misleading the country insisting that the five-point agenda in his letter was false.
“Our priority for discussion is the escalating cost of living which has only got worse with the lifting of the conservatory order on the 2023 Finance Act last week.
“We want to see actions by the regime that will lead to the immediate lowering of the cost of living. It is our position that this issue does not require any discussion but policy/action by Kenya Kwanza,” Azimio affirmed in a statement.
Meanwhile, Azimio appointed a team of five to participate in the talks which will carry out their duties for the next 30 days. Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka will lead the team.
NA leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi, former Defence Cabinet Secreatry Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okon’go Omogeni, and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi will also represent Azimio in the talks.
Kenya Kwanza is yet to appoint its team of five.
