•The Opposition now wants Kenya Kwanza to reconsider and replace Keynan with another member
•Wandayi stated that the Kenya Kwanza coalition was already kicking off the bipartisan talks on a wrong footing that would eventually lead to a stalemate.
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A fresh war has now emerged as Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja are at loggerheads over Eldas MP Adan Keynan's involvement in the bipartisan talks.
On Thursday, Rarienda MP Paul Otiende said that the inclusion of the North Eastern MP was in bad faith.
"The issue of party discipline is one of the issues on the table and his inclusion is in bad faith, unlawful and intended to delay the process," Otiende.
As a result, the Opposition now wants Kenya Kwanza to reconsider and replace Keynan with another member.
"Hon Adan Keynan is a member of Azimio.We are requesting our counterparts reconsider and replace him," Otiende added.
Keynan who is a member of the Jubilee Party was on Tuesday announced as part of the seven-member team for Kenya Kwanza to lead negotiations during the bipartisan talks.
Others are Boni Khalwale (Kakamega Senator), George Murugara (MP Tharaka), Esther Okenyuri (Nominated Senator), Mwangi Mutuse (MP Kibwezi West), Lydia Haika (Women Rep Taita Taveta) and Hillary Sigei (Senator Bomet).
Following the announcement, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi poked holes into President William Ruto's bipartisan team of seven, arguing that the members were selected to sabotage the peace talks.
Wandayi stated that the Kenya Kwanza coalition was starting the bipartisan talk on a wrong footing that would eventually lead to a stalemate.
However, on Wednesday the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala said that the Party’s decision to involve MP Keynan in the Kenya Kwanza bipartisan parliamentary team was intentional.
Malala emphasized that nominating Keynan was aimed at ensuring all political parties are involved in the bipartisan talks.
“The bipartisan talks are not just for ODM and UDA. We selected him because we want every party to be represented on the committee. The Constitution allows anyone to join any party they wish to and therefore, he has every right to be in that committee,” Malala said.
The former Kakamega Senator reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza bipartisan team is well and able and they will only address the issues that are supported by the Constitution.
Keynan is a member of the Jubilee Party which is part of the Azimio La Umoja Coalition.
However, Keynan is among Jubilee members who 'defected' from Azimio and pledged to work with the government after the Raila Odinga coalition lost the August 2022 elections.