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Babu Owino faults Azimio negotiations team ahead of bipartisan talks


Embakasi East lawmaker Paul Ongili Owino, famously known as Babu Owino, has appeared to fault the selected list of Azimio representatives who are set to engage the government in bipartisan talks.

The vocal lawmaker poked holes in the combination of the delegation, saying it lacks youth who have always been at the forefront of the country’s struggle.

Through his socials, Babu Owino said the talks would have been more effective if the youths were considered.

“A team has been set up to represent Azimio in the bipartisan talks. I wish them well. However, it would have been more effective and efficient if a youth was part of the team because it is the youth who are killed, maimed and still at the forefront in the struggle,” the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) allied party legislator wrote on his official Twitter account.

Yesterday, Azimio coalition’s Parliamentary Group endorsed legislators for the bipartisan negotiations with their Kenya Kwanza counterparts, in a bid to end the acrimony between President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

The acrimony had resulted in widespread countrywide demonstrations in the past few weeks leading to the death of four people and the destruction of property worth millions of shillings.

The opposition team comprises of ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Senate minority whip Ledama Ole Kina, deputy minority leader Enock Wambua, MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David P’Kosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba South) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).

The seven-member team will face off against their Kenya Kwanza counterparts with a similar number.

Last week, President William Ruto pleaded with the opposition to stop demonstrations and instead pave the way for negotiations to address Azimio la Umoja contentious issues.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga welcomed the move and agreed to put on hold the protests.

The former prime Minister set ultimatums, which Azimio wanted to be fulfilled including lowering the high cost of living and reinforcement of the sacked Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners, as well as the ones who resigned following last year’s August 9 general elections results in pressure.

The two factions, however, are seemingly reading from different scripts for the bipartisan talks.

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