Ichung'wah: We haven't received formal complaints about bipartisan team

He said Azimio should be structured and engage formally in case of any raised

In Summary
  • A fresh war emerged last week as Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja were at loggerheads over Eldas MP Adan Keynan's involvement in the bipartisan talks.
  • Rarienda MP Paul Otiende said that the inclusion of the North Eastern MP was in bad faith.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah .
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah .
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

The Kenya Kwanza coalition has said it is yet to receive any formal complaint concerning bipartisan team members.

National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah has told the Star that no one has raised any issue on paper concerning its seven-member team.

"We are yet to formally get that information and we will respond as soon as the matter is formally raised," he said.

A fresh war emerged last week as Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja were at loggerheads over Eldas MP Adan Keynan's involvement in the bipartisan talks.

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 said.

As a result, the Opposition asked  Kenya Kwanza to reconsider and replace Keynan with another member.

"Keynan is a member of Azimio. We are requesting our counterparts reconsider and replace him," Otiende said.

Keynan who is a member of the Jubilee Party was 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).

Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi also poked holes into President William Ruto's bipartisan team of seven, arguing that the members were selected to sabotage the peace talks.

Regardless of the oral complaints, the Majority leader highlighted that it was important to appreciate that the Kenya Kwanza have engaged in this process in good faith and a structured manner.

Inchung'wah said Azimio should be structured and engage formally in case of any raised issue they want to be addressed. 

"We want to avoid the back-and-forth public engagements that are likely to stall the process but to engage formally and in a structured manner in addressing all the issues that may be raised in the process," he said.

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