Storm after Ruto picks Jubilee MP for IEBC talks

Hours after the Kenya Kwanza leadership in Parliament named the seven members who will take part in bipartisan talks, the Azimio brigade has come out guns blazing, questioning the seriousness of the process.

This is after the government side named Eldas MP Adan Keynan in its team that will meet the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition members on the reconstitution of the electoral commissioners’ selection panel.

Mr Keynan was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket under Azimio, but declared support for the government of President William Ruto early this year with a section of Jubilee MPs.

Following the inclusion of his name on the list, the Azimio side claims they are being taken for a ride and that the issues they raised might not be resolved properly.

Among the issues that Azimio leader Raila Odinga has raised is a proposal to amend the Constitution to bar elected leaders from hopping to other parties after the election.

Leading the expression of displeasure was Narok Senator Ledama Olekina who warned that Azimio could be forced to go back to the streets if the government is not serious with the bi-partisan approach.

“The lack of seriousness of the by-partisan deliberation on the Kenya Kwanza part is the straw that broke the camel’s back! We are back to the people,” Mr Olekina said.

The senator is among MPs who will represent Azimio as they await the date and venue of the meeting with colleagues from the government side.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, one of the vocal members of the coalition, also faulted Kenya Kwanza for picking Mr Keynan.

Former Mukurweini MP Kabando Wa Kabando also differed with Kenya Kwnaza on the choice of Mr Keynan.

“President William Ruto is in contravention of the Constitution and the Political Parties Act by raiding Jubilee Party, which is officially in Azimio. How does UDA pick my friend Adan Keynan to represent Kenya Kwanza in the bipartisan committee? Or is it a back-door UhuRuto handshake?” he wondered.

On the other hand, the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition last week unveiled a team of seven legislators to represent the Opposition in talks with the Kenya Kwanza government.

The team unveiled during the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition Parliamentary Group meeting  features members from both the National Assembly and the Senate.

These are Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Enoch wambua (Kitui) and MPs Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi), Millie odhiambo (Suba North), David Pkosing (Pokot South) and Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo.