Azimio suspends planned Thursday anti-Gov’t protests

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party now says it has resolved to call off its planned Thursday anti-government demonstrations.

This comes after the ruling Kenya Kwanza faction acquiesced to one of Azimio’s main demands for the bipartisan talks to continue, by axing Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan from its negotiation team.

Azimio, in a statement to newsrooms on Wednesday evening, said that following the Kenya Kwanza move, it had since met and resolved to instead recall it 7-member team for fresh talking points during the deliberations.

“This evening, the leadership of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party met and agreed to once more suspend the mass protests that we had earlier scheduled to continue tomorrow,” read the statement sent by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

“The coalition took this step following the decision by Kenya Kwanza to accede to one of our demands that informed the resumption of mass action.”

Wandayi added: “Instead of holding the protests, we have summoned our seven member delegation to the bipartisan committee for fresh instructions to inform further engagement with the Kenya Kwanza side.”

The opposition political faction went ahead to thank their supporters who have taken part in the anti-government demonstrations thus far.

The team however added that they will not delay to take back to the streets if the goodwill that has been extended by Kenya Kwanza is taken back.

“As a party, we express deep gratitude to all Kenyans who have participated in the demonstrations in defense of justice and democracy in our country,” stated Wandayi.

“We also wish to reiterate that we will not hesitate to resume mass action at the slightest indication of lack of good will and honesty on Kenya Kwanza side.”

Azimio further fired a warning shot to Speaker Moses Wetangula who is on Thursday expected to communicate on make communication on whether the decision by Azimio to eject Deputy Minority Whip Sabina Chege from the position stands or not.

"More importantly, we send very strong warning to Kenya Kwanza over interference in the internal affairs of Azimio and its affiliate parties, including Jubilee," added Wandayi, who is also the Ugunja MP.

"Tomorrow, the 4th of May 2023, we expect nothing but a very clear and categorical communication from the Speaker of the National Assembly on the decision by Azimio to remove the former Deputy Minority Whip Sabina Chege. Any departure from our expectation will have serious consequences. We must end the culture of political prostitution in this country at all cost."