Media kicked out of Azimio-Kenya Kwanza bipartisan talks
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Media barred from broadcasting Azimio-Kenya Kwanza negotiations as Kalonzo assures talks are for the interest of the country and not individuals
Media barred from broadcasting Azimio-Kenya Kwanza negotiations as Kalonzo assures talks are for the interest of the country and not individuals.
Despite the government stressing that the negotiations will be broadcast live, the media was barred from the opposition and government talks.
Minutes before the meeting on August 9 began, Kalonzo Musyoka, Azimio’s co-principal, and Cecily Mbarire, the governor of Embu gave the order to journalists to leave the Bomas of Kenya venue where the talks were taking place.
“We ask the media and other members who are not part of the negotiating team (those who are termed as friends) to leave us so that we can give preliminary issues,” Mbarire stated.
She also barred journalists from asking questions and directed them to camp outside in readiness for a press briefing.
The move by the two camps to kick out the media goes against the rallying call made by Kenya Kwanza, which demanded the talks be broadcasted live.
Mbarire represented National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah who did not show up as he was part of a delegation accompanying President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua in their Mt Kenya tour.
In his opening statement, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said Azimio-Kenya Kwanza Bipartisan talks are for the interest of the country and not individuals.
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Kalonzo said the issues that have assembled them at the Bomas of Kenya should not further divide, but unite them as leaders.
“I believe that although we have been seconded here by our parties, we are here for our nation. Dialogue, peace, stability, and prosperity whose name we gather are not party issues. These are Kenyan issues. These are our aspirations as the people of Kenya,” he said.
He urged the leaders representing both sides of the political divide to fully commit to the process and not let Kenyans down.
Kalonzo affirmed that in the talks, no form of power-sharing or any self-seeking interest will be put on the table for negotiation.
According to him, Azimio will conduct the bipartisan talks in a sincere manner and look for solutions that will take into account the rights and interests of all Kenyans.
He added that the opposition side would conduct the negotiations honestly and transparently, respecting both the law and the dignity of everyone chosen to participate.
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