Why Kenya Kwanza Will Not Attend Bipartisan Talks Meeting

Kenya Kwanza team led by Kimani Ichungwah have revealed why they will not be able to attend Azimio planned meeting.

Kenya kwanza side of the bipartisan talks has regretted that they will not been able to meet Azimio la Umoja’s ultimatum in which the Raila Odinga-led coalition demanded that the talks begin on Monday, August 7.

In a letter that was signed by the National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichungwah, noted that will not be possible for the two teams to hold their first bilateral talks owing to other engagements.

Ichungwah also stated that their inability to appear for the talks on Monday, August 7, should not be misinterpreted to mean that they are not serious and committed to the dialogue.

“I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3rd August 2023 contents of which we duly note. However, we seek the indulgence of your team on the invitation to a meeting on Monday 7th August 2023.

“While appreciating the urgency to embark on the talks, it is worth noting that having just constituted our team, we had a scheduled debrief on Monday with our team in order to prepare for the talks and a further engagement with the Bi-Partisan team and their assisting counsels on Tuesday 8th August 2023,” the statement by Ichungwah read in parts.

Consequently, the Kenya Kwanza bipartisan team proposed that they schedule a joint first meeting on Thursday, August 10, at 10 am.

The President William Ruto’s team also rejected the proposal by Azimio la Umoja that the talks be held at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, noting that such endeavor would be very expensive for the country.

“With the view of mitigating the high cost of living, we respectfully request your team to allow the two teams to schedule our meetings at public venues such as County Hall which I would be happy to engage the Parliamentary Service Commission to make available or in the alternative at the School of Government-Kabete,” Ichungwah proposed.

Kenya Kwanza explained that town hall meeting will not occasion any additional expenditure to the public and which would otherwise be available for such public meetings at little or no cost.