Kenya Kwanza, Azimio bipartisan talks resume

Bipartisan talks between the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the opposition Azimio La Umoja coalition party resume Wednesday.

According to a communique from the 10-member National Dialogue Committee steering the talks, Wednesday’s proceedings start at 10 a.m.

They will be held largely behind closed doors, the committee said.

The dialogue team continues to deliberate on its five-point agenda; Outstanding Constitutional matters; Electoral justice and related matters; Entrenching funds into the Constitution; Establishment and entrenchment of State offices; and Fidelity to Political Parties/Coalitions and the law on multiparty democracy.

Azimio has previously said they will take another move if the bipartisan talks seem unpromising.

Odinga and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka last month said the opposition will not waste time in dialogue without signs their issues will be addressed.

“Before we talk of 2027, we must settle 2022 and that is why we have the bipartisan talks. We want to settle election injustice,” Musyoka, who is leading the Azimio delegation in the talks, told a roadside rally in Kisii County on September 2.

“Raila amesema tuwaangalie kwa macho kwa ile kikao na kama hawana haja then we shall think otherwise. We can't waste time.”

Odinga said they stopped anti-government protests to give the government a chance through dialogue but if President William Ruto’s administration will not cooperate, they will not hesitate to announce another way of airing their grievances.

“Sisi tunakubali mazungumzo, ndio maana tumeweka Kalonzo hapo. Tutawapa nafasi vizuri ili wazungumze na wakileta nyokonyoko si mko tayari?” posed the former Prime Minister who holds his presidential victory in last year's polls was stolen from him by Dr Ruto.

Odinga has previously threatened the return of street demonstrations if the talks are not fruitful. The recent round of demos left over 20 people dead.

Previous talks in April and May broke down as both sides accused each other of sabotage.