Ole Kina questions Ruto’s commitment, hints at fresh maandamano
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has questioned the team of seven members availed by President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition for the bipartisan talks against the opposition’s Azimio coalition.
This follows the move by Kenya Kwanza to include Eldas MP Adan Keynan in the team.
Mr Keynan was elected on a Jubilee party ticket and is technically part of the Azimio coalition.
But he jumped ship moments after the August 2022 polls and declared his political support for President William Ruto.
Incidentally, among the issues Azimio wants to be addressed in the talks is Keynan’s case, where lawmakers jump ship immediately after the election.
Thus, Olekina has warned that Azimio could be forced to go revert to demonstrations if, in his words, the government does not show seriousness towards the talks.
“The lack of seriousness of the by-partisan deliberation on the Kenya Kwanza part is the straw that broke the camel’s back! We are back to the people,” Senator Olekina said.
Senator Olekina is among the MPs lined up to represent Azimio in the talks.
Other members of the team from the Kenya Kwanza are Bonny Khalwale (Senator Kakamega), George Murugara (Tharaka MP), Essy Okenyuri (Nominated Senator), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West mp), Lydia Haika (Women Rep Taita Taveta), and Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei.
The Opposition team comprises Nairobi Senator and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David P’Kosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
Following a parliamentary group meeting at State House on April 11, 2023, National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa said that they resolved that the government shall resist any attempts by the opposition to force or blackmail into implementing the ‘failed’ policies of the last regime.
“We particularly support the government’s policy of subsidizing production rather than consumption and prudent fiscal management within a framework of managed debt levels,” MP Ichung’wa said.
Also read: Why Kisii governor Simba Arati has sacked two mortuary attendants