- EDITORIAL BRIEF: The opposition has announced that they will resume nationwide mass protests on May 2, with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition accusing President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza party of a lack of commitment to bipartisan talks. The bipartisan team aims to settle on the framework agreement so that meaningful engagements can commence immediately after. The civil society has also supported Mr Odinga’s call for reconstitution of the electoral agency, insisting that the current legal framework does not inspire trust and confidence among key stakeholders and the general public.
The chairman of the Azimio National Executive Council, Wycliffe Oparanya, announced on April 23, 2023, that the opposition would resume nationwide mass protests on May 2. The Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition has accused President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza party of a lack of commitment to bipartisan talks and stated that protests will continue despite the ongoing negotiations.
Mr Oparanya stated that the protest date was set for a Tuesday to accommodate workers who would be celebrating Labour Day on May 1. This announcement coincides with the 14-member bipartisan team, co-chaired by MPs Otiende Amollo and George Murugara, holding their second meeting to discuss fundamental issues and balance the dimensions the negotiations will take. The team aims to settle on the framework agreement so that meaningful engagements can commence immediately after.
Mr Odinga has insisted that the protests will continue to push the government to address high living costs by restoring subsidy programs for unga, fuel, electricity, and school fees. Additionally, he has called for the opening of last year’s presidential election servers for an audit, protection of the letter and spirit of fidelity to multi-party democracy, and adherence to the principle of inclusivity in the appointment of civil servants.
The civil society has also supported Mr Odinga’s call for reconstitution of the electoral agency, insisting that the current legal framework does not inspire trust and confidence among key stakeholders and the general public.
Kenya National Civil Society Centre (KNCSC) Executive Director Suba Churchill said that there is a need for a complete overhaul of the process of constituting the selection panel for the appointment of the chairperson and commission (IEBC) to guarantee its impartiality.
The law as finally amended provides that the seven-member Selection Panel for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the IEBC shall comprise two slots for the Parliamentary Service Commission, two slots for the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, one slot for the Public Service Commission, one slot for the Political Parties Liaison Committee, and one slot for the Law Society of Kenya.
Mr Churchill said that while the Parliamentary Service Commission that nominates two representatives to the Selection Panel and the Public Service Commission that nominates one representative are also constitutional commissions, the role that a sitting President plays directly in the appointment of their leadership and members makes their representatives amenable to the influence and manipulation by the Executive.
Mr Odinga had vowed to ensure the resumption of street protests after Ramadan, which ended last Friday, to compel the government to address concerns by the opposition. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader has insisted that the protests will continue until the government addresses their grievances.
The announcement of protests by the opposition comes as the bipartisan talks to resolve the political crisis between the Azimio coalition and the government enters a critical stage on April 25.
