Azimio PG to decide fate of talks, pick Sabina replacement

The ODM boss last week gave the government six days to accede to Azimio three interim demands with the set ultimatum set to expire on Tuesday.

Some of the interim concerns of Azimio are the cessation of invasion of coalition affiliate parties especially Jubilee Party, preservation of IEBC presidential servers and reducing the high cost of living.

The opposition also demanded suspension of the IEBC Selection process.

Today, the Opposition chief alongside Azimio co-principals Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa will announce the way forward to supporters.

The Star has established the opposition were on Monday considering resuming street protests to push the government into addressing some of the issues now that the talks are teetering to collapse.

National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi told journalists that Azimio bipartisan team will appraise the PG of the progress of the talks.

“We are going to be appraised on the progress of the bipartisan talks if any. We expect our MPs to canvass freely and robustly in order to come up with resolution of the meeting which we are going to inform you about,” Wandayi said.

“However, what I expect is that the meeting will come up with far reaching recommendations which will have serious ramifications that will not only have an impact on the politics of this country, but will also have an impact on the socio-economic issues affecting this country.”

The Azimio team led by Raila had pulled out of the talks and is threatening complete dissolution of the 14-member team over what it terms dishonesty by the government wing.

Attempts by the government side to resuscitate the talks failed on Monday after Azimio declined to attend a meeting convened by co-chairperson George Muragara.

“The only way to further the talks and prevent automatic dissolution by Tuesday is if the Kenya Kwanza communicates its willingness to accept the four interim measures sought by our side as conservatory measures,” the committee’s co-chairperson Otiende Amollo said.

According to the Ugunja lawmaker, the meeting will also decide who replaces nominated MP Sabina Chege as the Deputy Minority leader.

Before the House proceeded for a long recess, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula declined Azimio’s request to remove Chege as the Deputy Minority Whip.

The Speaker instead gave the minority 30 days to put their house in order and report back to his office.

Wandayi on Monday said the coalition will during the PG meeting announce who will take over from Chege who has been gravitating towards the President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

“In the tomorrow’s PG meeting, we shall be announcing the deputy minority whip,” Wandayi said.

The PG will also discuss and take a position on the controversial Finance Bill, 2023.