Azimio To Hold Fresh Peace Talks With Kenya Kwanza Facilitated By Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo

• Azimio La Umoja says it is now committed to a dialogue with Kenya Kwanza after the first bi-partisan talks initiative flopped
• The Opposition confirmed former Nigeria president Olusegun Obasanjo would lead the new phase of engagements
• Last week, President William Ruto offered to meet Raila Odinga, his longtime political adversary, for a one-on-one discussion(s)

Nairobi - The Opposition in Kenya has stated its commitment to engage the government on issues pertinent to the nation after a bout of push and pull that culminated in deadly anti-government protests.

One-time Nigeria president and pan-Africanist Olusegun Obasanjo will facilitate the dialogue.

The leader of the Opposition in parliament Opiyo Wandayi confirmed on Saturday, July 29.

"We, the leadership of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, having consulted with the leadership of Kenya Kwanza under the facilitation of H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo on the state of our nation," said Wandayi in his communique to the media.

Peaceful resolution of issues

Wandayi who also represents the Ugunja constituency in the National Assembly said the dialogue would be aimed at "a democratic and peaceful resolution of issues that beset our nation."

While noting the damages caused by violence in the recent anti-government protests, that comprised loss of life, serious injuries, and destruction of property, the Opposition's representative affirmed his side's commitment to adhere to the constitution and law while seeking to resolve the existing differences.

This, Wandayi said, would be in the best interest of the nation.

A ten-member committee will therefore be set up for the purposes of the mediation between the sides under the stewardship of Obasanjo.

"It will be composed of five members each from Azimio La Umoja and Kenya Kwanza; four members from outside Parliament (two from each side), the leaders of majority and minority from the National Assembly, and four additional members of parliament (two from each side).

Wandayi said the terms of engagement and other details "shall be communicated in due course.".

Ruto's olive branch to Raila

A few days back, President William Ruto offered to meet with his longtime political adversary Raila Odinga for one-on-one talks.

Raila had claimed that Ruto snubbed his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu who had reportedly landed in the country to steward talks between them (Ruto and Raila).

The lieutenants of Ruto have been expressing reservations about the likelihood of him meeting with the Opposition leader.

They detest any possible power-sharing arrangement that may come out of their talks.

However, in the event they meet, Ruto's hardliner footsoldiers want their engagements to be made open to Kenyans.

"We want to make it easier for you, your excellency, you will not never need a big meeting like this. If you get two seats, your seat, his seat and a camera, then you project it live on TV. We shall be able to watch all over the country and ensure that the issues you are engaging on issues that touch on Kenya," said Kimani Ichun'wah, the leader of government business in the National Assembly.

Flopped bi-partisan talks

Previously, the government had initiated talks with the Opposition via the bi-partisan approach.

At that time, the Raila-led side's concerns that informed the decision to sanction the anti-government mass action protests were; the lowering of the cost of living, two-thirds gender balance, an audit into the electoral system as regards the last year's presidential vote, and the re-constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in readiness for the polls in 2027.

They however pulled out of the talks citing the government's supposed non-commitment to address the issues on the table.

Raila-Ruto political duel

Ruto and Raila's political duel climaxed in the last year's presidential vote in which the former was declared the winner.

Raila disputed the election outcome, claiming Ruto was rigged into power by the elections management body.

His effort to challenge Ruto's win in the Supreme Court, Kenya's topmost judicial avenue, proved futile after all.

This was after the jury, stewarded by Chief Justice Martha Koome, threw out the petition, upholding the president's victory.

That would be Raila's fifth failed attempt at the presidency after the others in 2017, 2013, 2007, and 1997.