President William Ruto on Monday, April 3, summoned the Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah to State House following the truce with Azimio Chief Raila Odinga.
During their meeting, Ruto instructed Ichung’wah and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot to establish a framework for the bi-partisan approach to address some of the issues raised by Odinga.
[MEDIA=twitter]1643173678820073473[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]1643173800882700288[/MEDIA]
He formally presented the proposal to the Kenya Kwanza leadership in the National Assembly and the Senate.
“We have asked the Parliamentary leadership of both Houses to consider our proposal for a bipartisan approach to addressing the matters raised by the Opposition as a priority…We are convinced the issues shall be conclusively handled by Parliament in order to allow us to focus on our economic transformation program,” Ruto stated.
Other leaders present were the Deputy Leader of the Majority Owen Baya and the Whip of the Majority Sylvanus Osoro and his Deputy Naomi Waqo.
The Senate was represented by Deputy Leader of the Majority Tabitha Karanja and Deputy Minority Whip Ltembesi Lelegwe.
Ruto’s meeting came a day after he asked Odinga to call off the ongoing mass action protests to pave way for dialogue on some of the concerns he raised.
The former Premier accepted the olive branch extended by the Head of State, who offered to address the matter on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Parliament.
However, he demanded an immediate response from the President and noted that he would recall the demonstrations if no efforts were taken or if the process did not yield fruit.
[MEDIA=twitter]1643173532765962240[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]1643173806192709632[/MEDIA]
Odinga also demanded the immediate release and dropping of charges of all those who were arrested during the mass action protests.
The truce between the two leaders came amid pressure from religious leaders and foreign powers who pushed for dialogue in order to restore peace in the country.
Ruto on Sunday, April 2, asked Azimio party leader Raila Odinga to call off the ongoing mass protests.
In an address to the Nation from State House, the Head of State lamented that the protests were hurting the economy.
“In these circumstances and in view of the recent events that led to the loss of lives and destruction of property in the demonstrations in the last two weeks,
…I urge my brother Raila Odinga and the opposition to call off the demonstrations and to give this bipartisan approach a chance to take the country forward,” Ruto stated.
The President agreed to address one of the concerns raised by Odinga, the composition of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC selection panel.
He proposed that the issue of the selection panel would be brought under review in Parliament.
“My suggestion is that this matter can be handled in parliament by a bi-partisan parliamentary process so that we can agree on what it is they have an issue with, and we can adjust as is agreed and as necessary,” he stated.
Ruto ruled out the option of a handshake in case the bi-partisan process failed to yield fruit, he stated that it would revert the country to the previous dark days following the 2018 pact between Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“There was no distinction between the government and the opposition. Once you compromise accountability and oversight, you are in for a lot of trouble,” he reiterated.
He assured that the majority that Kenya Kwanza enjoyed in the two Houses would not undermine the process since the discussions would be based on ideas and not personal preferences.
[MEDIA=twitter]1643174207264620544[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]1643174370859163654[/MEDIA]
Meanwhile, he called upon Kenyans to remain peaceful and law-abiding and assured them that the government would protect their lives and property, including their businesses.
Gachagua was uncertain that there would be total calm in the country despite Raila starting on Sunday, April 2, that the protests had been suspended for at least a week. :D:D:D
Gachagua on Monday, April 3, revealed that the government would still deploy police officers in certain areas of the country.
The DP stated that this was in line with earlier preparations before Azimio Leader Raila Odinga called off planned protests.
“Aware that hooligans who were set to take advantage of the chaos to loot and steal could still be prepared to continue, our security officers are vigilant and on full alert,” the DP stated the need for the deployment.
Gachagua further warned Kenyans who cause chaos in subsequent protests.
“All lawbreakers will be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law. I am happy our economy which had started showing signs of recovery is now back on track,” he warned.
In an earlier statement on Sunday, April 2, the DP congratulated Raila Odinga for calling off the demonstrations.
“I salute Raila Odinga for calling off demonstrations and violence and choosing to pursue his issues in Parliament in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Kenya. That is statesmanship,” his statement read in part.
On matters of the cost of living, Ruto pointed out that he had an elaborate plan to reduce the cost of food including providing subsidized fertilizer for the long term.
In the short term, he confirmed that the government embarked on a food importation program to meet the current demand for food products in the country thus lowering the high costs.
