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Sunday, September 24, 2023 – A section of Azimio leadership has intensified calls to remove Jeremiah Kioni from the ongoing Government-Opposition talks held at the Bomas of Kenya.
Latest to add his voice on the resignation of Kioni is Azimio Spokesman Makau Mutua who has called out the former Ndaragwa MP over what he termed as ‘insubordination’.
In a statement seen by Homenews.Co.ke on Saturday September 23, Prof Makau said Kioni was nolonger trustworthy to remain in the National Dialogue Committee because he has been describing the exercise as a complete waste of time and resources.
“My good friend Kioni should with immediate effect resign as head of the Azimio technical team at the Bomas talks. He’s repeatedly said the talks are a “waste of time.” He must resign unless he’s a hypocrite. How can one lead a team in talks he doesn’t believe in?” Prof Makau, a close ally of Raila Odinga wrote.
A Near fist-fight in the Talks
He was making the comments just two days after it ensued a near fist-fight between the Jubilee Party Secretary General Mr. Kioni and EALA MP Omar Hassan.
Their fierce exchanges at the Bomas, according to an insider, almost scuttled the National Dialogue Committee meeting, on Thursday September 21.
During the two-hour long meeting, there was a near melee as Jubilee Secretary General and EALA MP Hassan Omar were engaged in a war of words that almost turned uglier in full glare of cameras.
Kioni Negative comments on Talks
Kioni’s recent sentiments that the talks are going nowhere and that he would have long withdrawn from the exercise had he been in the position of coalition leader Raila Odinga, seemed to have irked Omar and a section of Azimio allied camp
Azimio la Umoja Coalition appointed the embattled Jubilee’s SG as head of the Legal and Technical team in the bipartisan talks.
The coalition also appointed Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi as deputy chairperson and spokesperson of the Azimio team
Opposition Chief Raila Odinga then tasked Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kioni to approach the talks with courage and open minds.
Kalonzo co-chairs the meetings alongside Majority Leader in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah.
Dialogue crucial stage
So far, in his own words, MP Ichung’wah said the meeting has since reached its crucial stage of engagement with stakeholders from across the country.
“The road ahead may present challenges, but we are resolute in our dedication to creating a democratic, stable, and inclusive society that reflects the aspirations and needs of all its citizens,” he stated days ago.
Electoral injustices, cost of living challenges, creation of official office of the opposition leader as well as office of the Prime Minister makes key issues under the table in the Bomas talks.
