- Mnyazi said the relief food provided by the government is good but not enough to solve food insecurity as more needs to be done.
- The Kilifi North MP said Mnyazi has a big mandate in the bipartisan talks and should use the opportunity to help push for lowering of food prices.
Image: FILE
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Azimio and Kenya Kwanza leaders clashed over calls by the opposition to revive countrywide mass action.
Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, who is among the Azimio team in the bipartisan committee told the government to accept the opposition's demands.
Mynazi was speaking, Saturday, during a relief distribution exercise in Kakuyuni, Malindi constituency.
“We are ready for talks but if you are not going to hear our issues then demonstrations will be back,” she said.
Mnyazi said the relief food provided by the government is good but not enough to solve food insecurity as more needs to be done.
She said the relief food will be consumed in three days and residents will still go back to being hungry as the cost of living is high and many are struggling to survive.
The MP told Gender, Public Service and Affirmative Action CS Aisha Jumwa, who was present to urge the government to embrace talks with the Azimio team to resolve the issues affecting the country.
“Those in government and opposition must cooperate because the state of the nation requires dialogue to save the country,” she said.
Mnyazi said leaders should stop having strong stands as peace is more important in the country. She, however, defended the opposition's demos, saying it was the only way to push the Kenya Kwanza government to act.
“Honorable CS you were on our side at one time and you also took part in demonstrations, Owen Baya (Kilifi North MP) you were also on the opposition and you know how things go,” she said.
Present during the distribution exercise was Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa, (Kenya Kwanza) Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro (Azimio) Kilifi North MP Owen Baya (Kenya Kwanza), and nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba.
Jumwa defended President Ruto’s government and asked the opposition to be honest with the cost-of-living debate.
She said those who contributed to the high costs of living are former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“Ruto is struggling to ensure the price of unga goes down and those who contributed to the problem are demonstrating,” she said.
Jumwa said seven months since President Ruto took office the price of 2kg maize flour has dropped from Sh240 to Sh180.
“Did they demonstrate when the price of flour was Sh240. so I would urge Kenyans to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” she said.
Baya who is the Parliament Deputy Majority Leader said the Kenya Kwanza government is serving all Kenyans regardless of their political affiliations.
He said the government was doing everything possible to lower the high cost of basic commodities and demonstrations will not lower the price of food.
“Are these demonstrations going to lower the price of flour? The President is working hard to ensure the price of unga goes down,” he said.
The Kilifi North MP said Mnyazi has a big mandate in the bipartisan talks and should use the opportunity to help push for the lowering of food prices.
"I don't play my politics at the grassroots but at the national level for things to be done. I advise you Amina to politic in Parliament don't lower your dignity by bringing politics in funerals or during relief distribution exercises,” he said.
Senator Orwoba said Azimio has now nicknamed their demonstrations public barazas. She urged Kenyans attending the events to ask Azimio for relief food during such forums instead of speeches.
“They should bring food and then ask you to go for demonstrations, In Kisii, it's the rainy season and as others go for demonstrations we go will be going to the farms,” she said.
She said Azimio always issued threats of demonstrations without providing solutions for lowering the cost of living.