ODM leader Raila Odinga’s team is expected to face Kenya Kwanza’s side in the bi-partisan talks aimed at solving the contentious issues raised by the opposition.
Last week, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party led by the former Prime Minister had appointed a seven-member team to negotiate with President William Ruto’s side.
The coalition had picked four Members of Parliament and three members of the Senate including ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.
However, on Thursday, April 13, the opposition revised its representative where it added three more experts to the team after what the coalition termed as ‘serious consultations’.
In its inaugural press conference, the Azimio team appointed Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Law Scholar Makau Mutua, and ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s lawyer Paul Mwangi.
In a statement, the trio thanked the coalition for the appointment and vowed to fully represent the coalition’s grievances to the Kenya Kwanza government.
“We individually and collectively thank our Principals and Colleagues in the Coalition for the great honor bestowed upon us and assure the coalition and our supporters and the general public that we will do our very best to ensure we achieve the set goals,” read part of the statement by Azimio la Umoja.
Makau and Kioni will serve as assisting counsels to the team whereas Mwangi will serve as the joint Secretary to the Bipartisan Committee.
The nine are expected to face the Kenya Kwanza government which was unveiled on Tuesday, April 11.
The seven are Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, Tharaka MP George Murugara, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Eldas MP Adan Keynan, and Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika.
The addition of experts comes at a time when the opposition wing raised an issue with the appointment of Jubilee MP Adan Keynan’s inclusion in the Kenya Kwanza negotiation team.
“We are totally surprised and stunned by the fact that they have appointed Adan Keynan who is a member of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition. Legally, any Jubilee MP belongs to the Azimio coalition,” Minority Leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi
