- Kalonzo said so far, there were hopes that the talks would be as successful as anticipated.
- The CS Moses Kuria said the talks were okay as long as there were no issues of handshake.
Image: GEORGE OWITI
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka says it’s time to reason together as a nation.
Kalonzo said his involvement in the ongoing national dialogue was to help reach a consensus between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza leaderships.
“It’s time to reason together, there is nothing I have interest in personally as Kalonzo Musyoka,” he said.
He spoke during a fundraiser at ABC Kaiani church in Kathiani, Machakos County on Sunday.
The event was also attended by Cabinet Secretary for Trade & Industry Moses Kuria.
Kalonzo said as one of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leaders, he was asked to lead their team in the talks stating that he was trying his best to make the national dialogue bear fruits.
“We are giving the talks the last push. I thank President William Ruto because he also supports the talks,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo said so far, there were hopes that the talks would be as successful as anticipated.
“Let’s be careful not to go back to where we came from as a country,” he said.
Kalonzo also raised concerns about the current education system in the country stating that it had become expensive and unbearable.
“You don’t even know what education system you are following. I was once the Education Minister and we tried to tell them this wasn’t right. Every child is entitled to free secondary education up to tertiary levels,” Kalonzo said.
The former Vice President said needy children couldn’t get to university due to high educational costs including increased fees.
Kuria thanked Kalonzo for what he termed a good job in leading the bipartisan talks.
He said the Wiper leader was his long-time friend since the time of former President Mwai Kibaki.
The CS said he was among the few people who mediated for Kalonzo to deputise Kibaki.
“We talked and you accepted to support Kibaki and the political temperature went down in the country then. So, even if we are in different political affiliations, I will respect you all the time. You are our elder and we respect you, you respect us too," Kuria said.
"I fully support the work you are doing in the bipartisan talks. I’m one person who fully supports the talks because it is time for peace,” Kuria said.
“Next year we must do the work of boundaries review. Even in Kenya Kwanza, it isn’t that we are agreeing. Some say one man one vote, while others say one man one kilometre. Boundary review can’t happen when the country is divided.”
The CS said the talks were okay as long as there were no issues of handshake.
On taxation, Kuria said the Kenya Kwanza administration is working around the clock to ensure Kenyans have money in their pockets to counter inflation.
“The work we are doing with governors of creating employment, people will have money in their pockets. Nobody will talk about taxation, the problem isn’t taxes but lack of money in Kenyans' pockets,” Kuria said.