Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma warns of maandamano if bipartisan talks collapse
Homa Bay town MP Peter Kaluma has told off a section of lawmakers from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition who are opposed to ‘talks’ between President William Ruto and the opposition.
He hit out leaders opposed to National Dialogue talks between the government and opposition on the premise it may yield to a closing of ranks between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, in what is loosely referred to in political circles as a ‘handshake’.
Kaluma, who is a known close ally of Mr Odinga, further cheekily warned that should the talks, co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa fail, then the opposition will strongly consider calling for demonstrations (maandamano).
“I hear that those who are opposed to dialogue yield to a handshake. we must enjoy the fruits of the government as Kenyans and when people have agreed to talk, then let us allow them to dialogue,” said Mr Kaluma. “If the talks fail, we will go back mandamano,” he added, amid laughter from the audience of mourners.
The ODM lawmaker made the remarks in Nandi on Friday during the burial of the Chesumei MP Paul Biyiego’s son.
Some of the Kenya Kwanza MPs have in the recent past stated that they were opposed to ‘handshake’ between the opposition leader Mr Odinga and President Ruto.
These include Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kiharu lawmaker Ndindi Nyoro, and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.
Mr Odinga called off countrywide protests in mid-2023 to allow for talks between the government and the opposition team.
The opposition leader had consistently urged his supporters to the streets to protest over what he said was the high cost of living, plus further claims that his victory in the 2022 presidential elections was ‘stolen’.
Mr Kaluma also urged the government to deliver developmental projects to the region that voted overwhelmingly for the administration as well as the opposition zones.
“It is easy for us in the opposition to get development because we can abuse the government and we get what we want. However, it is difficult for local MPs from the ruling party to raise their voices. I want to urge the government to roll out projects across the country,” said the MP.
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