The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has announced that it will begin a series of public engagements, starting with a town hall meeting and public baraza at Kamkunji grounds in Nairobi on Sunday.
This comes after the opposition called off anti-government protests and committed to dialogue with the Kenya Kwanza government.
The coalition has appointed Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo to lead its seven-member team in bipartisan negotiations. Azimio Executive Council chair Wycliffe Oparanya stated that the public engagements would continue across the country as the government and Azimio negotiate.
The purpose of the town hall meetings and public barazas is to explain to the public the upcoming course of action following the suspension of protests. Oparanya reiterated Azimio’s commitment to the Easter deal that saw the parties commit to dialogue.
The coalition has called on President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza side to come to the table with “clean hands, unclenched fists, and a commitment to an honest and transparent process.” Azimio also insists that all issues facing the country, including high living costs, safeguarding multipartyism and civil service from politics, and electoral injustices, must be addressed.
The coalition suspended its nationwide protests at the beginning of this month after calls from Dr Ruto to engage in parliament-led negotiations. The four issues communicated to the public by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, including the high cost of living, opening and auditing of the IEBC servers, protection of multiparty democracy, and adherence to inclusivity principles in civil servant appointments, will also be addressed.
